A toward Digital Virtual Consumption

This paper, discusses digital virtual consumption (DVC) phenomenon, introduces some related economic and social theories and compares them. In this paper, in the first step, DVC is defined and its similarities and differences with real consumption theorized by classical consumption theories are discussed. Virtual economy phenomenon is defined and analyzed briefly according to value creation process in virtual spaceIn the next step, this genre of consumption is discussed in social and cultural sphere and the most crucial sociological approaches to this field are mentioned. DVC is evaluated by two major approaches toward technology, including critical studies and cultural studies of technology. In the last step, public policy of virtual space is briefly studied both national and global levels and the policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this field is discussed.