Interaction in Virtual Social Networks and its Impact on the Religious Identity of the Youth in Isfahan City

Abstract

As a dynamic phenomenon, religion is an important element of social and cultural identity in Iranian transitory society and has an important role in shaping youth identity. Virtual social networks like Facebook, change social values and produce a massive change in the way of the development of both individual and group religious identity. Therefore, the present study focuses on the relationship between religious identity and presence and interaction in Facebook. The key question is what effect the Facebook has on religious identity of its users? The present study is done via survey and accessible voluntary sampling method. We used a researcher-made questionnaire. The theoretical framework is based on Grenber’s Cultivation theory and Giddens’ Structuration theory. The research population includes young users of Isfahan City. The results indicate there is a significant inverse relationship between membership duration, use of and participation in the activities of Facebook. Also, there is a positive relationship between actual content on Facebook and religious identity of members. As duration of membership increases, use of and participation in the activities of Facebook reduce religious identity. The results also indicate that in accordance with their religious needs, young people use Facebook and this affects the users' religions style and creates a multiple reading of religion.

Keywords

• cyber space
• virtual social networks
• facebook
• identity
• religious identity