The Role of Virtual Social Networks in the Relationships of Couples Referring to the Family Court

Information and commun Virtual social networks have become the most similar to human society with the process of information explosion that they have undertaken and have become an important and influencing factor in couples' relationships. The aim of the present study was to identify the role of virtual social space in the relationships of couples referring to the family court, especially its effect on the functioning of the family and their mental health. The current research was among qualitative researches and three types of open, central and selective coding were used to analyze the data. The statistical population of the current study included couples referring to family courts, who were purposefully sampled and interviewed. The tool used in the present study was a structured and semi-structured interview. From the analysis of the conducted interviews, 207 open codes were obtained, among which 8 main themes were extracted to express the lived experiences of the interviewees, which included: "Internet addiction", "covering the emotional and mental void", etc. The result of the study showed that social-virtual space plays an important role in the process of socialization and re-socialization of couples; which, along with other factors, stabilize different attitudes and thoughts and also have a significant impact on their mental health. In summary, it can be concluded that excessive use of media, especially social virtual space, can cause many harms, including excessive dependence on technology, separation and loneliness, internet addiction, depression and boredom, psychological, physical, economic, etc. be in pairs.and boredom, and psychological, physical issues in couplesIntroductionInformation and Communication Technology (ICT), particularly social media networks, has significantly enhanced its influence on family dynamics, owing to its evolving utilization objectives and its ever-growing penetration. The significance of these platforms is highlighted across the family unit, owing to their extensive presence. In fact, virtual social networks, with the exponential growth they have experienced, bear a striking resemblance to the human society at large, and thus, exert a significant influence on marital relations. Studies have demonstrated the pivotal role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the structure and daily routines of couples. In particular, its importance emerges in areas of communication, relationship development, education, work-life balance, leisure time, parenting styles, and others. In light of this, concentrating on identifying shortcomings, gaps, and risks associated with ICT usage in relation to the performance and functioning of couples becomes exceedingly pertinent.Literature ReviewNowadays, families face a myriad of technologies, particularly the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to their homes. Stevenson (2011) acknowledges that its initial introduction is for educational aims, yet it soon extends to other spheres of socio-cultural life. While the multipurpose nature of ICT enables ease of life, it also breeds disputes among family members. Ghazanfar et al. (2015) assert that the application of ICT can modify the institution of the family itself, as well as its phases of development. Stress and other health-related concerns, safety issues, privacy infringements, access to inappropriate content, reduced social interactions, decreased family gatherings, and changes in dietary habits have become a frequent occurrence in the structure of modern families, arising out of their extensive reliance on Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The number of users of this medium had been estimated at a threshold spanning between 150 to 180 million people in 1999. The figure elevated to over 200 million people in 2002, surpassing 1.5 billion people in 2008 and surpassed 2.4 billion people in 2012, exceeding 2.7 billion people in 2016, and surpassed 3.5 billion people by 2018. Thus, social media platforms have reached a state of widespread adoption and proliferation across all facets of society, culminating in the emergence of new patterns within marital relationships.MethodologyIt is necessary to understand the impact that social media networks have on the relationships of couples attending family courts. In this context, the present study constituted qualitative research and adopted thematic analysis to analyse the data collected. The initial sampling pool consisted of 27 couples (15 males and 12 females) attending family courts, among whom 24 individuals ultimately participated in the study. For this study, structured and semi-structured interviews were utilized as the main tools for data collection. The key questions are:How have social media platforms impacted the functioning of couples?What are the background factors associated with excessive usage of social media networks?What could be the repercussions of the excessive utilization of social media networks?ResultsUpon analysing the transcribed interviews, a total of 207 open codes were derived. These open codes were grouped into seven essential themes, each depicting the realities that the interviewees experienced, namely: "Internet addiction"; "Covering the emotional and mental void"; "Non-recognition"; "Online sexual activities"; "Expansion of entertainment through social networks"; "Psychological and sociological problems" and "Distorted perception of reality.The results of the present investigative study reveal a wide array of positive and negative impacts of extensive usage of virtual social media networks on interpersonal relationships. While digital platforms can enable communication and enhance communication for partners, such networks can, simultaneously, cause a loss of trust and communication between them. In addition, the results revealed that the availability and ease of accessibility of social media platforms can increase the likelihood of engaging in extra-marital online sexual activities, which can generate feelings of betrayal and distrust, causing an eventual breakup. Internet addiction, furthermore, was recognized as a significant drawback of virtual media networks in family functioning, and it is associated with adverse psychological and social repercussions, such as depression, anxiety, and decreased social support. Social media platforms can also lead to distortions of reality and unrealistic expectations within a relationship. Curated online profiles may lead to the presentation of idealized and filtered images and details about one's life, creating unrealistic expectations and feelings of inadequacy among partners. This, in turn, can lessen satisfaction and increase tensions in the relationship. The results of the present study revealed that virtual social spaces can contribute to the process of socialization and re-socialization of couples, and this, along with other factors, can potentially result in altering attitudes and perspectives and can also affect mental health.ConclusionThe widespread and multidimensional advancement of internet communication has introduced various challenges and issues to our contemporary existence. In spite of providing numerous benefits, such platforms can pave the path for the dissemination of misinformation, leading to the challenge and subversion of basic values. Social media networks, with their insidious influence, have altered human relationships to an unprecedented extent, enabling the control and manipulation of public opinions, fostering social unrest, and even instigating conflicts and crises. Excessive usage of media, primarily of virtual social platforms, has the potential to spark and exacerbate a plethora of harmful effects on marital relationships, including excessive reliance on technology, separation, and feelings of loneliness, internet addiction, depression, and boredom, on top of causing personal, familial, relational, emotional, psychological, physical, economic, and other difficulties within couples.