Impact of Virtual Selves on Familial Cohesion and Amity
Download| Volume 3 Issue 2 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Author(s): |
Muhammad Farrukh
Wajiha Raza Rizvi
Maleeha Ameen
|
| Abstract | While the extensive incorporation of virtual life has opened new hallways and unique prospects for users to explore and experiment with newer identities, it has also left negative effects on their real-life relations, familial cohesion and amity. This study examines if users are too involved in ideally presenting and building their self-image and sharing details of their day-to-day routines with old and new friends on free and converged (social) media applications and websites to pay attention to their families. It found a gap in literature on the impact of virtual life on Pakistani family relations and amity. It used a survey questionnaire to collect data from 650 students enrolled at University of Lahore to study the effect of virtual life, time, social engagement, and ideal self-presentation on deteriorating real-life relations, family interactions, and bonding. It was found that virtual life has a negative effect on real life and relations. The users spend more time online building their social media personae and relationships than investing their time in constructing real-life identity, and interactions and bonding with the family. The family interaction and social bonding (dependent variables) were tested against time spent on social media (independent variable). The linear regression analysis showed that time consumed on social media significantly predicts deterioration in family interaction and family bonding, F=62.757, p<0.05. It indicated that the time consumed on social media played a significant negative role in shaping family interactions and amity (family bonding) (b=0.794, p<0.05). The results pointed to the negative impact of time spent on social media on family interactions. R 2 =.073 reflected a 7.3% variance in family interactions and family bonding. They pointed to a dire need to guide youth to balance their association with social media sites and improve their family interactions and family bonding. |
| Keywords | Online identity, family interactions, family bonding, real-life identity |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Type | Research paper, manuscript, article |
| Journal Name | Journal of Media & Communication (JMC) | Publisher Name | ILMA University | Jel Classification | - | DOI | -- | ISSN no (P, PRINT) | 2707-8906 | ISSN no (E, Electronic) | 2788-8304 | Country | Pakistan | City | Karachi | Institution Type | University | Discipline | Media, Advertising, Social Science, Multidisciplinary | Journal Type | Open Access | Manuscript Processing | Blind Peer Reviewed | Format | Paper Link | http://jmc.ilmauniversity.edu.pk/arc/Vol3/3.2/2.pdf | Page | -- |