virtual social networks and identity crisis (with emphasis on identity crisis in iran)

the virtual space of internet social networks is one of the most important devices to exert the influence of globalization. this virtual space creates a vast quantity of information and meaning representations. faced with this space and the profusion of sources, people experience suspension (i.e. confusion and indecision) in shaping their identity. the loss of the concepts of time and place and the greater role of space is evident in the virtual world. faced with this second space, people feel their bases of identity are shaky, and hence experience doubt and anxiety. although virtual social networks could have positive and negative effects on the process of communication, the present study focuses merely on their crisis-creating aspects and considers creating national and religious crisis as one of the impacts of social networks in societies, especially those experiencing a transition stage. the findings show that, on the basis of a classification of generations, the third generation has been the greatest user of the cyberspace in iran and has been exposed to the influences of social networks more than other generations. the cyberspace has created a kind of identity crisis among a great number of youths. this crisis has led to heterogeneity of identity and has influenced social balance. besides, virtual social networks have made fundamental changes in identity-building institutions and have changed meaning-creating identity factors.