Virtual space and social media studies

Abstract Background:
The rapid growth of social media has transformed the landscape of information consumption and dissemination worldwide. In countries like Iran, where traditional media are often state-controlled and public trust in official sources may be limited, social media platforms such as Telegram, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) have emerged as alternative channels for news, opinion, and social discourse. However, this transformation has brought with it a serious challenge: the widespread circulation of fake news and misleading information, often disguised in forms similar to credible content. As users increasingly rely on these platforms for real-time updates, distinguishing fact from fiction becomes difficult, and misinformation can spread quickly, influencing public opinion, behavior, and even social stability.
Objective:
The primary objective of this study is twofold: first, to identify and categorize the structural features that differentiate fake information from real information on Persian-language social media platforms; and second, to investigate how these structural features affect the sharing behavior of Iranian users. The study seeks to move beyond content verification and explore how form, presentation, and rhetorical structure shape users' perceptions and actions, especially in emotionally or politically sensitive contexts.
Methodology:
A mixed-methods research design was employed. In the first phase, a qualitative content analysis was conducted on a corpus of social media posts that were previously verified as either fake or real. These samples were analyzed to extract recurring structural elements, including headline style, emotional tone, source attribution, use of visuals, narrative coherence, and rhetorical strategy. In the second phase, a survey was distributed among a diverse sample of Iranian social media users to quantitatively assess how these structural features influence users' likelihood of sharing, liking, or engaging with content. The survey included scenario-based questions, self-report scales, and demographic variables to account for contextual factors such as age, education, and media literacy.
Findings:
The findings reveal a clear distinction between the structural composition of fake and real information. Fake content tends to rely heavily on emotional triggers, hyperbolic language, fear-based appeals, and the illusion of credibility through repetition or pseudo-expert citation. Such content is often narrative-driven, lacking in verifiable data, yet highly persuasive due to its affective tone and simplified storytelling. In contrast, real information is generally structured with a focus on factual integrity, consistency, citation of credible sources, and a more neutral or balanced tone. However, the study found that structural sophistication alone does not guarantee user skepticism. Users are significantly more likely to share fake information if it aligns with their emotional state, existing beliefs, or perceived social urgency—even when the content lacks credible backing. This behavioral pattern underscores the role of cognitive bias and affective influence in digital information sharing.
Conclusion:
The study demonstrates that the structure of information—its presentation, tone, and rhetorical form—plays a critical role in users' decision to engage with and redistribute content on social media. This influence often outweighs factual accuracy, especially in fast-paced, emotionally charged digital environments. Recognizing and addressing these structural cues is essential for developing effective strategies to curb the spread of misinformation.
Implications:
The research offers valuable insights for media policymakers, platform developers, educators, and fact-checking organizations. It highlights the need for structural awareness training in digital literacy programs and suggests that content moderation efforts should not focus solely on verifying facts but also on identifying high-risk structural features. Moreover, the study recommends that social media platforms implement design-based nudges and contextual warnings that alert users to emotionally manipulative structures in content, thus encouraging more deliberate sharing practices.
Keywords:
Social Media, Information Structure, Fake News, Sharing Behavior, Iranian Users.

Abstract In the digital age, cyberspace has emerged as a primary arena for the representation and redefinition of adolescent identity, while traditional institutions such as family and school continue to struggle in responding to its disruptive challenges. This study employs Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) and a futures studies approach to explore the multilayered dynamics shaping the identity of Tehran’s adolescents at the intersection of family, school, and digital environments. Data were collected through 18 in-depth interviews with adolescents, parents, teachers, and counselors, and were analyzed across four layers: litany, systemic causes, discourse/worldview, and metaphor/myth. The findings reveal that, at the litany level, dominant narratives are driven by parental anxiety and alarmist portrayals of moral decay. Structurally, deficiencies in educational systems and digital illiteracy within families expose adolescents to identity-related vulnerabilities. Discursively, a conflict is evident between adult-centered narratives of protection and control, and adolescents’ own discourse of digital self-expression and autonomy. At the metaphorical level, archetypes such as “the adolescent as a digital explorer,” “school as an abandoned fortress,” and “family as a lantern in the fog” reflect the cultural unconscious and generational divides. The study proposes three future-oriented scenarios—“continued divide,” “minimal adaptation,” and “institutional-discursive transformation”—emphasizing the need for re-narration, institutional empowerment, and cultural policy innovation to foster resilient identity formation among adolescents in cyberspace. The research contributes a theoretical and practical framework for understanding the future of adolescent identity in Iran and offers strategic insights for educational and cultural interventions

Abstract Objective:
This study examines the governance of cyberspace through the lens of two contrasting perspectives: the Order-Based Approach, which views cyberspace as a stabilizing force for social harmony, and the Conflict-Based Approach, which sees it as a battleground for power struggles and ideological domination. The research aims to critically analyze these viewpoints, evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and propose balanced governance strategies to optimize the benefits of cyberspace while mitigating its risks. 
Methodology:
The study employs a descriptive-analytical method, utilizing library and digital resources to gather data. Theoretical frameworks from social sciences, media studies, and political philosophy are applied to dissect the two approaches. Key questions guiding the research include: 

How do Order-Based theorists justify minimal restrictions on cyberspace?
What are the primary concerns of Conflict-Based theorists regarding cyberspace?
What balanced governance strategies can address the challenges of cyberspace?

Findings: 
- Order-Based Perspective: Cyberspace acts as a "safety valve" for societal pressures, reduces polarization by fostering interaction, and aids in monitoring deviant behavior. However, it risks amplifying protests, spreading misinformation, and creating echo chambers. 
- Conflict-Based Perspective: Cyberspace is a tool for surveillance capitalism, cultural hegemony, and identity erosion. Yet, this view underestimates user agency and overlooks the platform's positive potential. 
Conclusion:
The study advocates for a balanced governance model* that combines regulatory oversight with respect for fundamental freedoms. Recommendations include: 

Micro-Level:Parental and educational controls to promote responsible usage.
Meso-Level: Media literacy programs and teacher training to enhance critical engagement.
Macro-Level:Development of domestic platforms, smart regulation of foreign tech giants, and robust data protection laws.

 
Ultimately, effective governance requires nuanced policies that navigate the tension between freedom and control, ensuring cyberspace serves as a force for societal progress rather than division. 

Abstract Introduction: Today, with the tremendous development of new communication technologies, public relations can be equipped with electronic communication tools that will develop their communication and interaction with the audience and public opinion in both quantitative and qualitative terms. In this regard, the production of electronic content has become of particular importance. Currently, one of the challenges of public relations in economic organizations is the production of rich content and specialized personnel in this field. In fact, most public relations in economic organizations are so busy with their daily activities that they do not have time to produce electronic message content and process it in accordance with the target community. On the other hand, today, most public relations do not have a long-term strategy. In the contemporary world, public relations work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Of course, this does not mean a physical presence in the organization; rather, public relations services are provided digitally. Because the transformation of public relations from a traditional format to a digital one has become an undeniable necessity. This is the fundamental question here, considering the capacity and facilities that public relations of economic organizations have for producing electronic content and using electronic communication tools to produce and disseminate their organizational messages to influence public opinion, why have they not been able to use this possibility and capacity well so far?
Objective: To identify the challenges and obstacles facing government economic organizations in Iran in benefiting from electronic public relations.
Method: The research was conducted using the Q method, and the statistical population included 40 managers and deputy public relations officers of four ministries (Economics and Finance, Oil, Labor and Social Affairs, and Industry, Mining and Trade).
Findings: The results of the study showed that the items "need to have a scientific model derived from the organizational culture of electronic public relations in a government economic organization", "need to have an executive management approach to electronic public relations in a government economic organization", "need to guarantee the strategic security of electronic public relations programs in government economic organizations", "need to promote a culture of reforming the consumption pattern of electronic public relations in government economic organizations", "knowledge-centeredness of the set of electronic public relations policies in government economic organizations" and "promote a culture of reducing economic dependence in government economic organizations" were associated with the highest agreement of respondents and the economic standard score, and the items "identifying job opportunities and new businesses", "attracting public trust in the performance of the government economic organization", "responsible behavior towards society", "making a commitment to all social groups, in addition to owners and shareholders", "disseminating information needed by audiences to improve the level of public awareness", "controlling the organization's performance in meeting the needs of the future generation" and "preparing and compiling a periodic report to improve the quality of public life" were associated with the lowest standard score in the economic, social and political fields. The ethical dimension was associated with the highest level of opposition from the respondents. In general, the results showed that out of 29 items with a standard score of more than +1, 14 were economic, 13 were managerial, and 2 were structural. Also, out of 28 items with a standard score of more than -1, 11 were social, 5 were legal, 5 were economic, 4 were ethical, and 3 were structural. Accordingly, what is emphasized in the first type is the economic, managerial, and structural dimensions, and the most opposition is to the social, legal, and ethical dimensions. Although the positive components and types are more dominant, the dispersion of elements with high scores (standard deviation) is lower. Also, the priorities of the first type in designing the desired model of electronic public relations management are more economic, managerial, and structural. Also, the priorities of the second type in the desired model of management and public relations are more managerial, economic, structural, and social, and the priorities of the third type are economic and managerial. This means that The first and second priorities of all three types are dedicated to economic and managerial components. With a general conclusion, we can say: Electronic public relations in a government economic organization, through effective internal and external electronic communications, can enable a balanced and balanced communication flow through the information process by attracting public participation and playing an equal role between an organization and the audience.

Abstract Introduction: Journalism, like other social and technical phenomena, has always been influenced by technological advances, and in the history of journalism, innovative technologies have guided the production and dissemination of content and the consumption patterns of audiences. The invention of printing is considered the greatest event in the history of journalism and the great revolution of journalism. Along with it, the technical use of computers and the publication of newspapers on the Internet and the emergence of digital newspapers have transformed journalism and marked the second greatest revolution in the history of journalism. The digital world is advancing rapidly. Undoubtedly, with the emergence and development of algorithms based on artificial intelligence, we should soon expect the third great revolution in journalism and enter the era of journalism based on artificial intelligence. The dominance of artificial intelligence over journalism seems inevitable, and this will bring positive and negative consequences, opportunities and challenges for journalism. Therefore, identifying the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence over journalism is essential to face and better utilize this technological possibility. For this purpose, in this study, we have examined the opportunities and challenges of journalism based on artificial intelligence from the perspective of Iranian journalists specializing in the field of information and communication technology.
Research objective: To identify the opportunities and challenges of journalism based on artificial intelligence from the perspective of Iranian journalists specializing in the field of information and communication technology.
Research methodology: This research was conducted using a qualitative method of thematic analysis. In this qualitative research, we collected data using interviews, so that 10 journalists in the field of information and communication technology were interviewed, after which theoretical saturation was achieved and there was no need to interview more people. The interviewees were selected purposefully because they were more familiar with the subject of artificial intelligence than journalists specialized in other fields due to their relevant education and interest in the field of technology and information and communication technology. After conducting the interview, explanations and sentences that somehow indicated the positive consequences, opportunities, negative consequences, and challenges of the use of artificial intelligence in journalism were extracted. Then, the initial themes were fragmented based on the common and frequently repeated semantic phrase with the highest frequency of coding identification, and basic themes were obtained. Then, by combining, refining, and organizing those organizing themes, organizing themes were formed. Finally, by combining and refining the organizing themes, comprehensive themes that contain the principles governing the text were obtained, and the result is presented in the form of a table of themes.
Results: According to the journalists participating in this study, although news content can be produced using artificial intelligence tools, its output will not have the necessary quality compared to content produced with human intelligence and creativity. The widespread use of artificial intelligence in various parts of the newsroom will weaken the position of journalists. Although the use of artificial intelligence may have economic benefits for the media, the use of this tool is costly and technically complex, so it may not be possible for some media to use it. These challenges weaken the position and some of the functions of the media and journalists. Also, the use of artificial intelligence can strengthen media monopolization or these algorithms can be used to produce and publish biased content, which are two negative consequences of the effects of the misuse of artificial intelligence in the production and publication of news content. The development of artificial intelligence technology will bring about a digital revolution that affects all human activities. Consequently, the use of artificial intelligence technology to improve performance and attract audiences and generate revenue by media organizations is inevitable. However, it should be considered that at least in the near future, artificial intelligence tools are not going to completely replace journalists and reporters.

Abstract Abstract
In the contemporary digital landscape, Iranian influencers have become central figures in shaping public discourse, particularly through Instagram. Their ability to craft compelling narratives and engage audiences has given rise to a "fame economy," where digital visibility is a powerful and convertible form of capital. This paper provides a sociological analysis of how these influencers strategically transform their symbolic and cultural capital, gained from a large follower base, into tangible economic and social capital. A primary objective is to critically examine the dual function of social responsibility and philanthropic acts, questioning whether they are authentic moral gestures or calculated strategies for maintaining public legitimacy and attention.
Employing a qualitative methodology with Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the research investigates the social media activities of 12 high-profile Iranian influencers from 2020 to 2023. The theoretical framework integrates key concepts from Bourdieu’s theory of capitals, Goffman’s dramaturgical model, and Franck’s theory of the attention economy. The findings reveal a complex, often paradoxical, nature of influencer philanthropy. While some demonstrate genuine social engagement, a majority employ performative tactics and a strategic approach to brand cultivation, which manifests as the commodification of virtue. These acts of charity are meticulously curated and presented as core elements of the influencer's personal brand, frequently blurring the line between authentic social good and self-promotion.
This study concludes that the fame economy in Iran is an intricate ecosystem where social engagement is deeply linked to personal and economic gain. The strategic deployment of social responsibility, though capable of mobilizing aid, primarily serves as a mechanism for accumulating attention and converting symbolic capital into tangible returns. The phenomenon highlights an urgent need for institutional frameworks to enforce ethical standards, mandate greater transparency, and ensure genuine accountability in influencer-led social campaigns. Cultivating media literacy and establishing clear ethical guidelines are essential steps to reorient this powerful social force towards a more meaningful vehicle for authentic social change.