The Impact of Virtual Social Networks on Women's Social Deviations

In the millennium of information technology, new means of communication play an undeniable role in the lives of social actors. One of the notable aspects of these media is the social problems and harms caused by their use, most of which affect women. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of virtual social networks on women's social deviations.

In terms of its objectives this study is of an applied research type and in terms of its nature it is considered as a descriptive type of social survey. The statistical population includes 105 women detained in Jahrom who were selected as the available sample population. The data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire with the necessary content validity (face validity) and reliability higher than 0.65. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate regression.

Data analysis indicates that the relationship between education, socioeconomic status, religiosity, membership purpose, usage rate and history of using the Internet and social networks is significant with the social deviation variable at the level of 0.05. The results of the regression equation also showed that about 25% of the variance of the dependent variable (R^2) is explained by independent variables, and among them, the most effect is related to the two variables of usage rate and history of using the Internet and virtual social networks with standard beta values of 0.404 and 0.320.

Virtual social networks have provided more opportunities and motivation for women to violate social norms than the real space of society. Therefore, it can be argued that virtual social networks have an effective and direct role in the occurrence of women's social deviations.