Cyberspace and transformation of family members' interactions in the corona pandemic (Case study: Semnan county)

The present study is conducted to understand and explain this initial question.: "What has been the impact of cyberspace on the families of Semnan city during the last three decades?" Adopting the Emic approach, we applied the grounded theory method and semi-structured interview technique based on theoretical saturation. 22 parents have been interviewed. The outbreak of coronavirus has given rise to this sub-question: "How has cyberspace changed the interactions of family members during the outbreak of corona virus? 178 concepts, 12 sub-categories, and 3 major categories were formed out of 1650 data. Findings show that the prevalence of COVID-19 increases the influence of the Internet in the family and consequently causes the transformation of family members' interactions. We are witnessing the formation of the "Stem Virtual Family" which is a sign of the dynamism of the family institution. Parents are divided into three categories: satisfied, dissatisfied, and desperate, and we observe the strengthening of the phenomenon of "hotel family" and "helicopter parents".