Internet, Networked Family and Family Time: Howe new communication technologies Influence family relations?

Along with different and deep problems that the contemporary family has challenged in Iran, Internet penetration and use of modern communication technologies in the family have made these problems and challenges more complex and obscure. The challenges which are to some extent rooted in the transformation of family relations in Iran. This research was conducted to study the relationship between the use of modern communication technologies and family relations.The study population was Shiraz high school students from all 10 city regions. Using classified random sampling method, 400 students were selected and responded to the questionnaire. The theoretical framework of this study is a combination of the "networked family" and the "family boundaries" theories. One of the innovations in this research is the use of two mediating variables called family time and family network, which has been inspired by the theoretical framework. Generally, the results of this research indicate that there is no direct relationship between the type and extent of the use of new technologies of communication with family relations, but this relationship is realized through the path of mediating variables, namely, the time of family and family network. Finally, Family time and family network variables have a positive effect on family relationships, with a beta of 0.473 and 0.273, and in general they are able to explain 30% of the family relationship variable.