The Social Function of Virtual Networks in Urban and Rural Areas

Derakhshan Aghkand, Hossein; Feli, Javad

doi:10.22034/lrsi.2025.527591.1382

The Social Function of Virtual Networks in Urban and Rural Areas

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Hossein Derakhshan Aghkand ¹

Javad Feli ²

¹ Corresponding author, Assistant Professor, Department of Geoghraphy and Urban Planning, Payamnoor University Tehran, Iran.Email: aderakhshan@pnu.ac.ir

² Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences of Payamnoor University, Tehran, Iran. Email: javad_feli@pnu.ac.ir

10.22034/lrsi.2025.527591.1382

Abstract

Objective: At present, the prevailing approach to confronting the media (soft) war in our country is predominantly negative, while social and cultural planning in this area has been largely neglected. The objective of the present study is to investigate and analyze the positive and negative effects of virtual social networks on social capital, with a focus on comparing urban and rural areas.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive-correlational design and was conducted using structural equation modeling.
Results: The estimated values indicated that although the use of social networks was significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas, these networks had a greater impact on fostering the components of social capital among rural residents compared to their urban counterparts. To examine the difference in the means of the independent variable (the role of virtual networks) and the dependent variable (place of residence), a one-sample t-test was used. The results of the t-test, assuming equal variances, revealed a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.002, F = 2.56) with a 95% confidence interval.
Conclusions: There is a significant difference between rural and urban residents in terms of the type and level of activity in social networks. Respondents acknowledged both the positive and negative consequences of using virtual social networks. The effects on individuals' physical and mental health were equally emphasized by both rural and urban users. Regarding the influence of virtual networks on family and social relationships, the most notable findings indicated an increase in social participation and the development of civil society in rural areas. Conversely, in urban areas, negative consequences included emotional distance between children and parents, the weakening of the family institution, the emergence of family disputes, and the formation of unconventional friendships
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Keywords

Virtual Network

Rural Areas

Urban Areas

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