Virtual space and social media studies

Abstract Abstract
Introduction: Audience research is a cornerstone of effective health communication programs. Neglecting audience research can diminish the effectiveness of health initiatives and pose significant risks to public health. This study aims to identify the factors influencing audience behavior in health communication programs within Iran's health system. Using the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) method and the gap analysis technique, the study formulates optimal strategies by assessing the current state and identifying gaps to reach the desired state. Sampling was conducted using a purposive non-probability method among experts in health and communication sciences.
The findings reveal that the health system's strengths include the existence of a health network in cyberspace for public awareness, the production of educational content with a prevention and self-care focus by the Ministry of Health, and ongoing training for healthcare providers in effective communication. However, weaknesses such as insufficient attention to cultural differences in health guidelines, the inability of domestic messaging platforms to compete with foreign ones, and low communication literacy among healthcare professionals hinder the system's effectiveness. These shortcomings can lead to a lack of diversity in communication methods, inadequate evaluation of program effectiveness, and limited audience participation.
Health communication is vital for improving public health and managing diseases. With the advent of new communication technologies, such as social networks and digital media, audience interaction has become more complex. While the Ministry of Health has developed numerous health communication programs, their implementation and audience targeting remain unclear. Effective communication programs require careful consideration of audience characteristics and communication components. This study explores the elements influencing audience behavior in health communication programs and evaluates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in transitioning from the current to the desired state.
Methods: This study employs the SWOT method to formulate strategies based on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, complemented by gap analysis to assess the disparity between the current and desired states. Data was collected through purposive sampling among experts in health and communication sciences.
Findings: The study identifies several strengths of the health system, including the presence of a cyberspace health network for public awareness, the production of preventive and self-care educational content by the Ministry of Health, ongoing training for healthcare providers, and an online news and information platform. However, weaknesses such as insufficient attention to cultural diversity, the inability of domestic messaging platforms to compete globally, low communication literacy among doctors, and inadequate audience analysis in message design hinder effective communication.
Opportunities include interactive communication between social network users and health experts, the health system's focus on self-care and patient education in cyberspace, and the existence of health-oriented online platforms. Threats include low information literacy among users, the spread of misinformation online, the use of unclear language in health communication, and public misconceptions about health-related news.
Conclusion: The health system plays a critical role in disseminating health information and influencing behavior change. Effective communication is essential for promoting health, reducing disease burden, and ensuring the success of public health programs. Drawing on Giddens' structuration theory, this study highlights the complex interplay between individual actions and social structures in shaping health behaviors. Understanding audience characteristics before implementing health communication programs enhances the effectiveness of health messages and fosters greater audience participation.
Keywords: Audience, health communication, cyberspace, health promotion.

Abstract Abstract
Introduction: The emergence of cyberspace as one of the defining features of the modern era has transformed the world, creating a networked society that is deeply integrated into global life. While cyberspace itself is not inherently negative, its misuse can profoundly impact individual and societal relationships, thoughts, and behaviors. In many countries, cyberspace has become an essential part of daily life and a vital tool for various activities. However, the unique nature of the internet—its privacy, lack of oversight, and ease of access—has facilitated the spread of immoral and pornographic content, particularly in the Western world. Over the past few decades, the normalization of sexual topics and the proliferation of media tools, especially the internet, have contributed to the growth of the pornography industry.
One of the most alarming aspects of internet pornography is the depiction and distribution of child pornography, a severe form of child sexual abuse. Child pornography represents a significant online threat to children, often involving the exploitation of minors through grooming, trafficking, cyber prostitution, or the production of sexual content. The pornography industry in Western countries has created an environment in cyberspace that not only facilitates sexual deviance among users but also enables the commission of sexual crimes against children globally.
Given the profound impact of this technology on public morality, addressing the ethical and legal dimensions of child pornography is of paramount importance. This study seeks to answer the question: What legal and ethical mechanisms exist to combat virtual child pornography? By examining the necessary ethical and legal frameworks, this research aims to provide a foundation for addressing the challenges posed by this issue more effectively.
Method: The research employs an integrated strategy, utilizing methods appropriate to each topic. Two primary methods were used: library studies and content analysis of laws. Data was collected through the review and analysis of books, articles, and legal sources, with a focus on existing laws criminalizing pornography.
Conclusion: The study highlights that, despite the 2020 Law on the Protection of Children and Adolescents in Iran, which aims to safeguard minors from sexual crimes such as pornography, the legislation has been largely ineffective in prevention and enforcement. The law lacks specific protective policies addressing child pornography and fails to consider the profound and lasting impacts of such crimes on victims. While the Islamic Penal Code prescribes punishments for certain sexual acts, it does not adequately address the unique vulnerabilities of children or the irreversible harm caused by the production and distribution of pornographic content.
The legislative approach to protecting children's rights in cases of pornography is insufficient, particularly in light of the rapid advancement of technology. Legal protections have not kept pace with technological developments, leading to gaps in the safeguarding of public morality and chastity. This disconnect between technological capabilities and legal frameworks has resulted in inefficiencies and contradictions in addressing child pornography.
In conclusion, the current legal structures for combating child pornography in cyberspace are inadequate. There is an urgent need for comprehensive legal reforms, enhanced preventive measures, and a stronger focus on the ethical implications of this issue. Effective solutions must address both the technological and cultural dimensions of the problem to ensure the protection of children and the preservation of public morality.
 

Abstract Abstract
Introduction: Digital games, with an audience of 3 billion globally and 34 million in Iran, have emerged as one of the most significant media of our time for conveying messages. Their rapid growth in popularity and their increasing contribution to the creative and cultural industries highlight the importance of digital games as more than just a tool for entertainment. Among these, serious games—or targeted games—are a distinct category designed with purposes beyond entertainment, such as education, health, and advertising. Since the early 2000s, serious games have become a focal point of global research, offering innovative ways to interact with users and improve their quality of life.
As simulations of the real world, serious games have garnered significant attention over the past two decades. This research aims to review studies conducted in the field of serious games, particularly in education, health, advertising, and social impact, to explore how they facilitate positive changes in individuals and society. These studies demonstrate that, depending on the goals of developers, the target audience, and the application field, serious games represent an undeniable, engaging, interactive, and entertaining medium with immense potential for imparting educational concepts.
The growing number of players in Iran and worldwide reflects a technologically driven society with unique subcultures. This presents an opportunity to harness the positive capabilities of games for education, cultural development, and empowerment. This research reviews and analyzes the most impactful serious games produced globally in the fields of education, health, treatment, and advertising, while also identifying emerging needs in these areas.
Methods: This research adopts a qualitative approach, utilizing a review of recent papers, serious game analyses, and theses. Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data—such as text, audio, images, or video—to understand concepts, perspectives, and experiences. The review method is employed to synthesize findings from recent research on serious games. Unlike scientific-research articles, review articles focus on compiling, categorizing, and presenting existing research and theoretical foundations. This study relies on primary sources and library research to provide a clear and accurate recounting of past information.
Conclusion: Digital games are an undeniable, attractive, interactive, and entertaining medium with significant power to instill educational concepts. According to the "Open View" report by the Digital Games Research Center (DIRAC), Iran has 34 million digital game players, reflecting a large, technology-based society with its own subcultures. This demographic can benefit from the positive capabilities of games for education, cultural adaptation, and empowerment.
For instance, serious games are currently used to treat conditions such as autism, depression, phobias, and other mental and physical illnesses, as well as to rehabilitate stroke victims and individuals with mental or movement disorders. Additionally, serious games address educational challenges by making learning more engaging and accessible. The interactive and powerful nature of games has shifted the focus of research from negative perceptions of gaming to exploring their potential as a transformative medium.
 

Abstract Abstract
Introduction: The development of communication technologies and the rise of platforms like Instagram have created unprecedented opportunities for social interaction and the shaping of public culture. However, the lack of high-quality content production in traditional media has transformed these platforms into spaces where vulnerable individuals are exploited. This study examines the misuse of naive individuals and mentally impaired persons in the production of undignified comedic content, analyzing its cultural, social, and legal consequences from a critical criminological perspective. The research also proposes solutions to address these challenges.
Method: This study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, collecting data through a systematic review of scientific articles, legal texts, and media reports. Qualitative analysis is employed to explore the relationship between the production of undignified comedy, social media algorithms, and cultural policymaking.
Conclusion: The lack of high-quality content in traditional media has accelerated user migration to social networks, leading to the proliferation of unethical content. Vulnerable individuals, particularly those who are naive or mentally impaired, are systematically exploited as “media victims.” Social media algorithms, which prioritize user engagement, amplify such unethical content. Additionally, insufficient protective legislation and weaknesses in cultural policies perpetuate this issue. This process not only undermines human dignity but also imposes significant social and psychological consequences on victims and their families.
From a critical criminological perspective, the exploitation of vulnerable individuals in digital spaces reflects broader power dynamics and societal inequalities. Structural weaknesses in cultural and legal frameworks exacerbate the problem. In Iranian society, the lack of focus on producing high-quality comedy and the neglect of cultural needs have driven users toward undignified content on social networks. This trend reinforces unethical behaviors, reduces the cultural value of media content, and erodes public trust in both traditional and digital media.
Social media algorithms play a pivotal role in propagating this trend. By prioritizing content that generates high engagement, these algorithms often disregard the moral and cultural implications of the material. This creates a feedback loop where unethical content is not only tolerated but encouraged, as it attracts more viewers and followers. Consequently, the dignity of vulnerable individuals is compromised, and societal norms are eroded.
This study identifies several key areas for reform to address these challenges:

Strengthening Traditional Media:Enhancing the capacity of traditional media to produce culturally relevant and ethically sound comedic content is crucial. Traditional media should receive the necessary support and resources to compete with digital platforms and offer alternatives that respect cultural values.
Legislative Reforms:Clear guidelines for ethical social media usage must be established, with penalties imposed on those who exploit vulnerable individuals for entertainment.
Public Awareness Campaigns:Raising awareness about ethical social media usage and promoting responsible online behavior can reshape public attitudes.
Independent Monitoring Bodies:Establishing independent bodies to oversee content production on social media platforms is essential. These bodies would identify unethical practices, ensure accountability, and uphold the dignity of individuals featured in media content.

The findings of this research highlight the interconnectedness of cultural policy, media practices, and societal values. Addressing the root causes of exploitation requires a collaborative approach involving policymakers, media professionals, and the public. Solutions must prioritize cultural integrity, human dignity, and social cohesion.
Furthermore, cultural education and media literacy programs should play a significant role in fostering a more informed and responsible society. By teaching individuals to critically analyze content and understand the ethical implications of their online interactions, these programs can empower users to make informed choices about the content they consume and share. This shift in public behavior would compel social media platforms and content creators to prioritize ethical considerations in their work.
In conclusion, the exploitation of vulnerable individuals in the context of undignified comedic content production is a complex issue that reflects broader societal and cultural challenges. This phenomenon underscores the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates cultural, legal, and technological solutions. By enhancing the role of traditional media, reforming social media algorithms, enacting protective legislation, and fostering public awareness, it is possible to address this issue effectively. The study calls for collective efforts to promote ethical media practices and protect the dignity of all individuals, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Through these measures, society can move toward a more just and respectful digital culture, where entertainment does not come at the cost of human dignity.
 

Abstract Abstract
Objective:Fake news and the problem of spreading it in social media have weakened reliable journalism and reliable information. The necessity of this issue has prompted governments and media to investigate effective solutions to detect fake news. How to recognize the components of fake news in social networks, especially those related to protest activities, is a problem that is answered in this research. The main purpose of the research is to identify and present the components of fake news in the spread of street protests in Iran in 2022. The sub-goals include knowing the components of fake news (political, economic, artistic, cultural, sports) and how to spread them in the spread of 2022 street protests.
method: In this research, we try to identify the fake news components of the BBC Instagram network in the street protests of Iran (September to March 2022). The news content of 60 Instagram posts based on a qualitative approach and using conventional and directional content analysis method in an inductive way and the verification criteria of fake news of this research and their correct classification, through the "Special Line of Fars News Agency","Fact Nameh" sites,"Fact Yar"takes place.
Findings: The data obtained from the analysis of about 60 news content with the keywords "fake news", "protest", "disturbance"; 1150 data source titles were analyzed around the main and secondary questions.
 5 main categories resulting from the concepts (core codes) can be observed: 1-news credibility (news type-source) 2-creating doubt (consequences-spreading doubt) 3-producing the potential of protests and disturbances (orientation of public opinion, etc.) that have negative effects on the society and the main categories that can counter the spread of fake news: 4-Fake news detection (information war, techniques persuasiveness, etc.) and 5- media literacy (checking the video, when fake news is published, etc.)
And finally, the findings showed that the activities and provocations of the foreign language Persian media, especially the BBC network, play a direct and central role in the escalation of discontent, political activism, the spread of the virus of gatherings, the mental desecration of public opinion, vandalism, tarnishing the image of the regime and officials, and It had security and military organizations. This network represented the protests of 1401 as nationwide, ideological and purposeful protests. Nevertheless, the central role of the leadership and the system of religious authority in times of crisis caused the enemies to fail in achieving their goals, because the supreme leader of the revolution through taking a stand and directing public opinion, emphasizing the national security and independence of the country, supporting the institutions security and military, emphasis on national unity and endogenous reforms should play a key role in preventing insecurity and increasing national unity.
Results:The present research was conducted by thematic search of the words"fake news","protest", "Mehsa Amini" in more than 100 virtual pages of the BBC Persian Instagram network in connection with the unrest of 2022 and 1150 data were collected. Findings and data results of the obtained data were analyzed using Maxqda2022 software with the coding method.The results showed that the BBC Farsi Instagram channel in the rapid dissemination of fake news in 2022 It has used components that play a large role in the spread of street protests, which can be classified into 5 general categories as follows: credibility of news, detection of fake news, creating doubt, media literacy, generating the potential of protests and riots. Also, foreign media,as an arm of black propaganda, finds a conceptual relationship with the concepts of the post-truth era, information war, deception of public opinion, fake news and verification.
 

Abstract Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, the digital economy has experienced significant growth alongside numerous challenges, driven by the emergence of new digital technologies and advancements in Industry 4.0. This article aims to explore the various dimensions of the digital economy across countries and examine the regulatory approaches needed to address its complexities.
Method: This study adopts a documentary and analytical-descriptive approach, focusing on the interdependence between economic, social, and developmental aspects of digital trade, particularly in developing countries.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical importance of addressing the interplay between economic, social, and developmental factors in digital trade for developing countries. The analysis reveals the impact of digital technologies on employment and identifies uncertainties within the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the regulation of trade and e-commerce policies. These uncertainties underscore the weaknesses of multilateralism in shaping effective trade and e-commerce regulations.
To successfully implement digital industrial policies, countries must focus on developing two types of fundamental capabilities essential for benefiting from the digital economy:

Specialized Capabilities:Skills, knowledge, and technical expertise crucial for Industry 4.0, such as data scientists, robotic process automation engineers, and technology specialists.
Transdisciplinary Skills:Skills that combine technical expertise with specific factory management knowledge, enabling the integration and operation of hybrid production systems.

Additionally, collective action at the international level is necessary to establish a fair and equitable normative framework for digital trade. Such a framework would ensure that all countries, regardless of their developmental stage, can participate equitably in the global digital economy.