A Study of the Damages of Virtual Social Networks to the Soft Power of the Islamic Republic of Iran

The unprecedented spread of using smart phones and, of course, the utilization of avariety of social network software in these phones, their ease of use and low cost have amazingly increased the users’ access to this technology and its applications. Given the important role and function of human interactions in the formation of personal and social identity, the norms governing the actions of individuals and, in short, the culture of a nation, on the one hand, and the design, expansion and management of virtual social networks by certain well-known authorities, the relatively young population of Iran and the thriving use of this communication means in the country, on the other, it appears that the study of the damages and negative impacts of virtual social networks on the cultural soft power of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as the pioneer of fight against injustice in the world, and with lofty goals and ideals for establishing a new Islamic civilization, is of great significance. Hence, this article, authored on the basis of the descriptive-analytic method and literature review, attempts to answer this major question: "What are the damages of the widespread use of virtual social networks to the soft power of the Islamic Republic of Iran?".