New Media Studies

Rethinking Parenting Styles in the Age of Mobile Phones: A Cultural Study of Iranian Families

Hossein sarfaraz; Yousef Bahmanabadi

Volume 11, Issue 43 , May 2026, Pages 50-1

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2026.82635.1776

Abstract

Extended AbstractThe widespread use of mobile phones and their easy accessibility in the daily lives of Iranian families have brought about significant transformations in parenting ... Read More Extended AbstractThe widespread use of mobile phones and their easy accessibility in the daily lives of Iranian families have brought about significant transformations in parenting styles. This study aims to examine the quality of interpersonal communication between parents and children under the age of ten and to analyze digital parenting styles, drawing on communication theories and Yalda Tehraniyan's model of parenting styles. Data were collected through a qualitative approach using focus groups and interviews with urban and rural parents. The findings indicate that parents' dependence on mobile phones reduces face-to-face interaction time with children and disrupts parental communication roles in the "drone parenting" and "helicopter parenting" styles. In contrast, in the "media mother and digital father" style, although mobile phone use at home is common, guiding children toward functional uses of mobile phones partially mitigates the negative effects. The results highlight the necessity of rethinking current parenting styles and developing context-specific strategies to moderate the impact of mobile phones on intra-family relationships. IntroductionSmart technologies—particularly mobile phones—are among the most influential factors transforming human relationships and family lifestyles. The dominance of mobile phones and their integration with the internet have blurred the boundary between private and public spaces, shaping the quality of parent-child relationships. Numerous studies show that parental distraction caused by continuous mobile phone use reduces verbal and non-verbal communication with children, leading to notable educational and psychological consequences.In Iran, the sharp rise in mobile phone penetration and the extensive use of mobile devices by both parents and children further underscore the importance of examining the "quality of interpersonal communication." Reports indicate that the average daily effective interaction among family members has dropped to approximately 30 minutes, with some studies suggesting a decline to as little as 15 minutes. The diminishing emotional and interpersonal connection within families in the presence of constant mobile phone use has become a critical concern.Accordingly, this study investigates the influence of mobile phones on digital parenting styles and parent-child relationships among children under ten—a group in a crucial stage of emotional and social development.Materials and MethodsThis research is qualitative and descriptive in nature. The study population consisted of parents with children under ten who regularly use smartphones. A purposive sampling method was employed, selecting participants based on criteria such as accessibility, willingness to participate, and relevant lived experience.Data collection tools included a focus group of ten parents (either father or mother) and semi-structured interviews with five parents of both genders conducted in family settings. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. The data were transcribed, coded, categorized, and analyzed. The interview questions focused on five thematic areas: the role of mobile phones within the family, children's exposure to mobile phones, parental control versus permissiveness, parents' dependence on mobile phones, and the impact of mobile phone use on emotional and interpersonal relationships.The theoretical framework relied on media dependency theory and Tehraniyan's digital parenting style models.Discussion and ResultsThe analysis revealed three dominant patterns of digital parenting in Iranian families:Drone Parenting Style:Parents exhibit high dependency on mobile phones, leaving the child unattended for extended periods. Children spend long hours engaged with mobile devices, parental supervision is minimal or absent, interpersonal communication sharply declines, and children often experience a form of "media-induced loneliness." This style was the most prevalent among the participating families and was associated with the greatest disruption in parent-child emotional relationships.Helicopter Parenting Style:Parents impose excessive monitoring; children lack media autonomy, and all consumed content is fully controlled. Despite strict supervision, emotional and face-to-face communication remains insufficient. This style was observed in families concerned about digital risks but unable to strike a healthy balance between supervision and emotional connection.Media-Mother and Digital-Father Style:Parents actively use mobile phones themselves but attempt to guide children toward "useful and functional" mobile engagement. The father provides moderate supervision without strictness, and the mother is less dependent on mobile phones but does not impose significant restrictions either. Occasional conflicts arise due to excessive mobile phone use. Compared to the other two styles, this pattern is less harmful and has the potential to evolve into a more effective model.Derived Indicators from Data AnalysisThe study identified the following indicators:Decline in Parent-Child Interpersonal Communication:Parents engage less in verbal and non-verbal interaction when using mobile phones. Some children reported feelings of being "ignored."Redefined Role of Mobile Phones in Children's Learning:Mobile-based learning, virtual classes, and school communication have become common. Some rural mothers viewed educational use as an essential opportunity.Increased Child Dependency on Mobile Phones:Some children, even as young as two, displayed a strong interest in watching videos. Parents often hand over mobile phones to calm their children.Educational Conflicts Due to Children's Media Consumption:Parents expressed dissatisfaction with prolonged mobile phone use by children. Disagreements between parents over acceptable usage limits emerged as a source of family tension.Role Conflict Among Parents in Mobile Phone Use:Many parents did not model responsible media use themselves, and part of the family's shared time was lost to parental "endless scrolling".Heightened Individualism Within the Family:Decline in group conversations, increased solitary engagement, and reduced shared playtime.ConclusionThe findings demonstrate that mobile phones, beyond being communication tools, have become determinant factors in shaping parenting styles in Iranian families. The "drone" and "helicopter" styles have the most damaging effects on parent-child relationships, as they either leave the child unattended or impose excessive control while diminishing genuine emotional interaction. The "media mother and digital father" style, though not free of challenges, has the potential to evolve into a more balanced approach through modification and parental education.The study underscores the need to rethink parenting styles, emphasizing that families must establish a balance between media use and face-to-face communication. Further localized research on media and family dynamics is necessary, and promoting healthy media practices should be incorporated into public education. Ultimately, mobile phones are neither inherent threats nor complete allies to the family; rather, it is the quality of parental media use and attention to interpersonal communication that determines children's emotional well-being in the digital age.

Development and Validation of an Educational Package for Behavior Management in Cyberspace and Its Effectiveness on Mental Health and Academic Self-Regulation Among Female Secondary School Students in Tehran

Esmaeil sadipour; Farideh Ebrihimi; Bita Nasrolahi; Hasan Asadzadeh

Volume 11, Issue 43 , May 2026, Pages 82-51

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2025.86481.1854

Abstract

The primary aim of this research was to develop and validate an educational package for behavior management in cyberspace and to evaluate its effectiveness on mental health and academic ... Read More The primary aim of this research was to develop and validate an educational package for behavior management in cyberspace and to evaluate its effectiveness on mental health and academic self-regulation among female secondary school students in Tehran. In the first phase, the educational package was developed using a library-based method and content analysis of scientific texts. Then, with the help of experts in psychology, educational psychology, and media management, its content validity was examined using the content validity ratio (CVR). The results showed that all the developed topics and content had sufficient validity and were approved by the experts from both scientific and practical perspectives.In the second phase, using an experimental research design (pre-test, post-test with a control group) and repeated measures analysis of variance, the effectiveness of the educational package on the research variables was evaluated. The results indicated that the mental health of students who received cyberspace behavior management training improved significantly compared to the control group. This finding, considering the role of social media in increasing stress, anxiety, and distraction, underscores the importance of proper behavior management education in cyberspace for enhancing students' mental health. Additionally, the academic self-regulation of the experimental group students increased significantly compared to the control group. This finding suggests that training in cyberspace behavior management, by enhancing skills in planning, time management, and controlling digital distractions, has led to improved academic self-regulation. Although the cyberspace behavior management educational package had an effect on both dependent variables, the calculated effect size indicated that its greatest impact was on academic self-regulation, followed by mental health.Extended AbstractIntroductionWith the rapid expansion of digital technologies and increased access to the internet, cyberspace has become an inseparable part of students' daily lives. Although this space provides countless opportunities for learning, social communication, and personal growth, it also brings numerous psychological and behavioral challenges. Recent research indicates that inappropriate and excessive use of cyberspace can have significant negative effects on students' mental health and academic self-regulation (Andersen & Jiang, 2018; Ryding & Fox, 2018). These negative effects, particularly during adolescence—a critical stage of psychological and social development—can lead to long-term consequences for individuals' mental health and academic success.Academic self-regulation refers to students' ability to plan, monitor, and control their own learning processes. This concept includes components such as time management, goal setting, use of learning strategies, self-evaluation, and emotion regulation (Zimmerman, 2000). Academic self-regulation helps individuals maintain motivation and focus when facing academic challenges. Cyberspace, by providing access to unlimited information resources, interactive learning tools, and social networks, has created both opportunities and challenges for academic self-regulation. Access to information resources enables students to access diverse and up-to-date educational resources. Students can access scientific articles, instructional videos, and online courses via the internet (Dabbagh & Kitsantas, 2012). However, by offering entertainment-oriented content and social networks, cyberspace can cause distraction and reduce students' concentration (Janko, 2012). The vast amount of information available online can lead to confusion and diminish students' ability to select appropriate resources. Moreover, over-reliance on digital tools can affect students' time management and planning abilities.Given the above, social networks and the web have become an inseparable part of modern life for all members of society, especially adolescents, who are considered the Net Generation, Digital Natives, Generation Thumb, and the "anti-generation." Media have not merely become part of our lives; they have come to encompass our entire existence. In such circumstances, the inability to optimize the use of this space and the lack of capacity to manage behavior will entail irreparable harms and losses. Therefore, in this study, the researchers aim to develop an educational package based on theoretical foundations, media psychology, and the experiences of other countries to assist with behavior management, examine its psychometric properties for validation, and subsequently investigate the effect of teaching this package to students on enhancing both their mental health and academic self-regulation. This study not only helps fill the research gap in this field but can also serve as a basis for designing educational programs and preventive interventions at the level of schools and the national educational system.Research MethodThis study is fundamental-applied in terms of its objective and, regarding data type and collection technique, employs a mixed-methods approach of the instrument development model type (Saadipour, Vol. 2, 2024). Accordingly, the first phase of the study, aimed at developing an educational package for behavior management in cyberspace, is qualitative in nature. The second phase, which examines the effectiveness of the developed educational package on students' mental health and academic self-regulation, is a quantitative study and an experimental study using a pretest-posttest design with a control group.Discussion and ConclusionThe hypothesis of this study, which was confirmed, was that the mental health of students who received cyberspace behavior management training (the experimental group) is higher than that of those who did not receive this training. Examples of research consistent with the findings of this study include Ahmadi-far and Abdi (2022); Baradaran and Ranjbar Noshahri (2022); Harrer et al. (2019); Orang et al. (2023); Dashti (2022); Koohi-Aghdam et al. (2024); Nemati (2024); and Nejati (2024). According to the aforementioned studies, it can be concluded that cyberspace behavior management training can have positive effects on students' mental health, especially when such training is delivered purposefully and with the participation of teachers and parents. However, improper and excessive use of cyberspace can lead to serious psychological problems. Therefore, designing and implementing appropriate educational programs and intelligently managing cyberspace is essential for maintaining and promoting students' mental health.The other hypothesis of this study, which was confirmed, was that the academic self-regulation of students who received cyberspace behavior management training is higher than that of those who did not receive this training. Examples of research consistent with the findings of the present study include Zimmerman (2002); Pintrich (2004); Sánchez-Martínez and Otero (2021); Schunk and DiBenedetto (2020); Kostnić and McLaren (2020); Duckworth and Steinberg (2015); Tsai et al. (2020); Pintrich and Zusho (2007); Ahmadi et al. (2022); Bahrami and Kazemi (2021); Jafari and Mousavi (2020); Hosseini and Nouri (2023); Nasiri et al. (2023); Rezaei and Mousavi (2020); and Sharifi and Amiri (2021).Therefore, it can be concluded that cyberspace behavior management training, by providing a suitable platform for enhancing self-regulation skills, plays an important role in improving students' academic performance and success. It is recommended that schools and educational institutions design and implement such training programs to improve learning quality and academic achievement, thereby benefiting from their positive impact on students' academic self-regulation.

An Aesthetic Typology of the Visual Content of Everyday Instagram Bloggers: The Case of Sepideh Bazmi-Pour

Fatemeh Montazeri Hedeshi; Ehsan Shahghasemi

Volume 11, Issue 43 , May 2026, Pages 124-85

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2025.79307.1693

Abstract

AbstractThe present study examines the aesthetic typology of visual content produced by a well-known everyday Instagram blogger. "Everyday bloggers" are defined as individuals who generate ... Read More AbstractThe present study examines the aesthetic typology of visual content produced by a well-known everyday Instagram blogger. "Everyday bloggers" are defined as individuals who generate content daily and continuously on Instagram, employing various formats and making use of the platform's affordances, and who have succeeded in attracting a substantial audience to their pages. In this research, we first sought to identify everyday Instagram bloggers with approximately one million followers and an average of more than one hundred thousand likes and views per post. From among these bloggers, Sepideh Bazmi-Pour was purposively selected for semiotic analysis. The unit of analysis in this study consisted of the posts published on this blogger's Instagram page. From the influencer's Instagram posts, we selected the fifty most recent posts published on her page. We then employed a semiotic approach to examine the aesthetic elements utilized in these posts that contributed to their higher visibility and engagement. Finally, we extracted and presented a typology of the aesthetic elements employed in the posts of Sepideh Bazmi-Pour.Keywords: Typology, aesthetics, bloggers, Instagram, Sepideh Bazmi-Pour Extended AbstractIntroductionInstagram is a predominantly visual social networking platform whose image-centered structure has generated distinctive forms of interaction between users and celebrities. The visual orientation of this platform compels social actors to produce and curate visual content in order to construct and present themselves as recognizable participants within the network. Its infrastructural affordances—including diverse content formats, thematic categorization of pages, and algorithmic visibility—have diversified audiences and contributed to the emergence of various categories of social actors, among whom bloggers occupy a prominent position.Bloggers produce content across multiple domains such as beauty, lifestyle, cooking, and fashion, seeking to attract and retain followers. Audience culture plays a crucial role in this process, as bloggers strategically select and curate content rather than publishing all recorded materials. Their production is therefore shaped not merely by the act of content creation but by aesthetic considerations designed to appeal to a broad audience. Visual and emotional elements—such as affective cues, luxury signifiers, and pleasurable imagery—are employed to generate audience engagement and aesthetic appreciation.Among these actors, everyday lifestyle bloggers represent a distinctive category, sharing moments of daily life while drawing upon culturally meaningful signs and signifiers to construct aesthetically valued content. Given their reliance on culturally resonant visual and symbolic elements, it becomes necessary to classify and typologize the signs embedded in their posts in order to understand what constitutes "beauty" from the perspective of Instagram influencers and how such perceptions reflect broader cultural meanings.Accordingly, this study identifies various types of bloggers and focuses specifically on the everyday lifestyle blogger Sepideh Bazmi-Pour as a case study. The primary objective of the research is to identify the signifiers employed in her content production and to develop a typology of aesthetically oriented content.Research QuestionWhat elements do everyday Instagram bloggers employ to create aesthetically appealing content for their audiences?Into what typological categories can the aesthetically constructed content of everyday Instagram bloggers be classified?Research MethodThis research applies a semiotic approach to examine how aesthetic meaning is constructed in the content of an everyday Instagram blogger. Drawing on the theories of Ferdinand de Saussure and Charles Sanders Peirce, the study focuses on identifying signifiers and interpreting their culturally embedded secondary meanings in visual and textual posts. The aim is to classify the aesthetic elements used to represent everyday life and attract audiences.Using hashtag search and snowball sampling, several prominent everyday bloggers with over one million followers and high engagement rates were identified. From this group, Sepideh Bazmi-Pour was purposively selected due to her higher visibility and active content production, as well as her association with the Iranian actor Shahrokh Estakhri.The unit of analysis consisted of the blogger's fifty most recent posts from the past two years. Through qualitative semiotic analysis, key visual and symbolic elements were extracted and interpreted, and the identified signifiers were categorized to develop a typology of aesthetically constructed content.FindingsThe semiotic analysis of fifty recent posts identified eight dominant aesthetic signifiers that structure the blogger's visual representation of everyday life. These elements, repeatedly emphasized across posts, construct culturally resonant and visually appealing meanings:Clothing (Fashion Aesthetics): Princess-style dresses and references to Disney characters symbolize luxury, Western cultural values, nostalgia, and aristocratic refinement. Clothing functions as a marker of social status and aesthetic distinction.Celebrations and Occasions (Western Cultural Aesthetics): The frequent celebration of events such as Christmas and Halloween signifies the valorization of Western consumer culture and provides a visual framework for displaying decoration, fashion, and extravagance.Sisterhood and Children (Gendered Aesthetics): The intimate and affectionate representation of the blogger's daughters constructs emotional appeal, softness, and feminine beauty. Children function as influential micro-celebrities and central aesthetic subjects.Fame (Aesthetics of Celebrity): Posts featuring her husband, Shahrokh Estakhri, highlight celebrity status as a signifier of success, legitimacy, wealth, and social influence.Pose and Body (Body Aesthetics): Carefully staged gestures, facial expressions, and coordinated outfits signify elegance, attractiveness, fashionability, and controlled self-presentation.Setting and Environment (Spatial Aesthetics): Luxurious domestic spaces, foreign travel locations, hotels, and branded elements signify affluence and an idealized upper-class lifestyle.Family (Aesthetics of Character): Gatherings during Iranian cultural events such as Nowruz and Yalda emphasize collectivism, tradition, and respect for family values.Motherhood (Maternal Aesthetics): The blogger presents an idealized form of motherhood that combines care and emotional intimacy with beauty, fitness, and stylized daily life.Overall, the visual typology demonstrates that aestheticized everyday life is constructed through interconnected signifiers of luxury, Westernization, femininity, celebrity, ideal family life, and curated motherhood. These eight categories collectively define the dominant aesthetic framework of the blogger's content.ConclusionSocial media has reshaped not only communication but also cultural perceptions of everyday life. In line with the dramaturgical theory of Erving Goffman, everyday bloggers strategically construct idealized self-presentations designed to align with social expectations and generate audience pleasure.In response to the first research question, the findings show that bloggers create aesthetically appealing content through culturally meaningful signifiers such as clothing, celebrations, setting, fame, femininity, sisterhood, family, and motherhood. These elements function as visual tools for presenting a desirable and socially valued image.Regarding the second question, the extracted meanings can be summarized into four overarching aesthetic axes: Western cultural orientation, luxury and affluence, gendered attractiveness, and emotional intimacy. Together, these dimensions shape a typology in which everyday life is stylized, idealized, and culturally coded to maximize visual appeal and audience engagement.

Representation of Afghanistan in Western Digital Games Industry: A Case Study of Action Games After September 11, 2001

Faisal Faizi; Farzaneh Sharifi; Mohammad Mohsen Hasanpour

Volume 11, Issue 43 , May 2026, Pages 157-125

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2026.82391.1770

Abstract

Video games, as a form of new media with mass and global audiences, have provided a suitable opportunity for Western governments to reinforce their military, political, and ideological ... Read More Video games, as a form of new media with mass and global audiences, have provided a suitable opportunity for Western governments to reinforce their military, political, and ideological objectives. The collaboration between Video game producers and the military has introduced the idea of real wars to game developers, who utilize it in the entertainment industry. Today, we can observe a general depiction of the wars in Afghanistan within these games. This research employs qualitative content analysis to examine how Afghanistan is represented in the Western Video games industry. For this purpose, 13 Western Video games centered on Afghanistan were purposefully selected using a non-probability sampling method and were coded and categorized using MaxQDA. The codes obtained from the comparative analysis were divided into two main categories and eight subcategories. The most significant identified categories include misrepresentation and hegemony. The findings indicate that the unrealistic and meaningful representations of the real wars in Afghanistan by Western game developers after September 11 have been unfair and lacking in integrity. Introduction and Problem Statement The media representation of video games has evolved since the Cold War to create a barrier against communism, with the portrayal of U.S.-led wars in Afghanistan after September 11 being framed within the context of the global war against terrorism. The objective of representing Afghanistan in video games is to establish mental stereotypes and normalize a negative perception of the country, thereby facilitating the acceptance of U.S. military and political interventions in global public opinion.Games depicting Afghanistan often illustrate themes of disorder, violence, irrationality, and human rights violations. Companies such as Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Bohemia Interactive have acted as media extensions of imperialist governments, often funded by entities like the U.S. Department of Defense (Hammar & Woodcock, 2019). The impact of media messages, particularly video games, on Afghanistan has not been adequately addressed. The central question of this research is how Afghanistan is represented in Western digital games after the September 11, 2001 incident. Understanding this representation will help illuminate how people around the world perceive Afghanistan and how the West views the country in the context of video games production.MethodologyWe employed qualitative research methods, utilizing qualitative content analysis based on the researcher’s perspective and analysis of phenomena. To gain a deep understanding of the subject, we used a case study approach, which is media-oriented, to explore and describe the data. The rationale for using qualitative content analysis in a context like the study of Video games, where quantitative analysis encounters limitations, is evident. Therefore, qualitative content analysis can be considered a research method for the subjective interpretation of textual data through systematic classification and coding or the design of known patterns (Babi, 2011).FindingsIn the qualitative content analysis of these games, two main categories and eight subcategories were identified. The main categories are as follows:1- Misrepresentation 2- Hegemony Data Analysis The analysis of 13 Western Video games depicting Afghanistan shows a significant distortion of reality, influenced by the designers' preconceived notions. These games misrepresent Afghanistan and fail to accurately reflect its historical context, particularly regarding the Soviet-Afghan war and subsequent Western-led conflicts against terrorism.The creators do not depict the true nature of war or the factors contributing to Afghanistan's underdevelopment. Afghanistan is portrayed as a backward and uncivilized nation needing liberation from communism and terrorism by the West, particularly the U.S., which acts as a global police force imposing Western values.ConclusionAccording to Edward Said's theory of Orientalism, Afghanistan is represented by the West as part of the East. In these representations, Afghanistan is depicted as an Eastern, backward, and uncivilized country that the West, led by America in its role as global police, must liberate from communism and international terrorism while imposing Western values such as human rights, liberal democracy, and freedom.Upon reflection, it becomes clear that these slogans are lies and deceptions directed at the people of Afghanistan and the world. In these games, Afghanistan is depicted as a part of the Middle East or Central Asia, portrayed as a permanent war zone where the interests of America and the West are in constant conflict with various forms of Islamic radicalism and terrorism. Keywords: Representation, Video games, Hegemony, war, Orientalism, cultural imperialism.

Modeling Customer Attractors Using Social Media Marketing in Omid Entrepreneurship Fund with a Structural-Interpretive Approach

Amir Alizadeh chamazkoti; Bagher bagherian kasgari; Majid fattahi

Volume 11, Issue 43 , May 2026, Pages 200-159

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2026.85096.1828

Abstract

Introduction: In the present era, customer attraction is one of the most important factors for the success of businesses, because intense competition and the numerous options available ... Read More Introduction: In the present era, customer attraction is one of the most important factors for the success of businesses, because intense competition and the numerous options available to customers have caused companies to make more efforts to attract and retain their customers. Applying new marketing strategies, providing quality services, and creating a unique experience for customers are among the factors that play a significant role in this regard. The need to attract customers and understanding the role of attraction in business decision-making is a key issue that, despite its great importance, has received less attention in the field of service marketing. Social media has become a pervasive communication tool that creates connections and opportunities for interaction with customers. In particular, attracting new customers is a fundamental issue in the Omid Entrepreneurship Fund. The goal of this fund, according to Article 6 of its statute, is to mobilize financial resources and provide facilities to individuals, especially in rural and deprived areas, industrial clusters, and entrepreneurs. In recent years, the fund has played an effective role in supporting production and job creation by increasing capital and financing stagnant production units. For example, in 1403, the Omid Entrepreneurship Fund has included financing 730 stagnant production units on its agenda. From a positive perspective, the use of social media marketing can help the Omid Entrepreneurship Fund to communicate more widely with entrepreneurs and small business owners. By using platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, and Telegram, the fund can better inform about financial facilities, loan conditions, and business growth strategies. Also, direct interaction with applicants and publishing entrepreneurs’ success stories increases public trust and attracts new customers to the fund’s services. Targeted marketing on social media also allows for the identification of the needs of different groups and the provision of services tailored to them. From a negative perspective, not paying attention to social media marketing can reduce public awareness of the fund’s services and miss important opportunities to attract applicants. In today’s digital world, many small businesses and entrepreneurs rely on the online space for information; as a result, the lack of an active presence in this space prevents the fund from properly delivering its message to its target audience. In addition, competition with other financial and support institutions requires the fund to use modern marketing methods; otherwise, applicants may turn to alternatives and the effectiveness of its services may decrease. Therefore, the present study answers the key question of what is the customer attraction model using social media marketing at the Omid Entrepreneurship Fund?Methodology: The present study was based on interpretive philosophy and conducted with an inductive approach. It is also an applied-developmental research in terms of its purpose and a non-experimental (descriptive) research in terms of its data collection method. A qualitative research design was used to achieve the research objective. The participant population includes university professors and experienced managers of the Omid Entrepreneurship Fund. Sampling was conducted purposively and theoretical saturation was achieved with 18 people. Interviews and a decision matrix-based questionnaire were used to collect data. The results of the qualitative section coding were validated using the Holst method (0.712) and Cohen's kappa estimate (0.655). The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed using the formal method and the reliability of the questionnaire was also confirmed by estimating the internal correlation coefficient (0.826). The analysis and coding of the interview texts were performed using the qualitative theme analysis method in MaxQDA 20 software. In the second part, the structural-interpretive modeling method and MicMac software were used to determine the relationships between the structures and design the model.Results and Discussion: In the findings section, to facilitate data analysis, the interview transcripts were loaded into MaxQDA software and reviewed several times to extract key points. In the open coding stage, 319 codes were identified and finally, using axial coding, 13 main themes and 67 basic themes were extracted. The results of the thematic analysis identified themes related to the customer attraction model through social media marketing in the Omid Entrepreneurship Fund and presented them.Conclusion: The results of the research have shown that strategic factors, artificial intelligence, and technical factors affect media management and media security. The aforementioned factors also affect media customer friendliness and media quality, and lead to the value of content, content management system, and content production principles. Finally, by creating aesthetics and interactivity, the ultimate goal of attracting customers to the Omid Entrepreneurship Fund is achieved.

Validation of the Game Addiction Scale among Adolescents

Safdar Nabi Zadeh; Mohammad Reza Zoghi Paydar; Sayed Ali Sharifi Fard; Maryam Zolgharnin; zahra darki

Volume 11, Issue 43 , May 2026, Pages 230-201

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2026.74870.1601

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to validate the online game addiction scale among students in Alborz city. The method of the current research was survey-descriptive. The research population ... Read More The purpose of this research was to validate the online game addiction scale among students in Alborz city. The method of the current research was survey-descriptive. The research population included second-grade high school students in Alborz city. The research sample consisted of 374 high school students who were randomly selected using a cluster sampling method and responded to the scales of online game addiction by Khazaal et al. (2018), life satisfaction by Sharifi Fard et al. (2021), Ryff's psychological well-being (2002), and Instagram addiction by Kirkcaburun and Griffiths (2018). Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach's alpha analysis in SPSS v. 22 and LISREL v. 8.80 software. Results showed that the online game addiction scale is unidimensional. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis also confirmed the single-factor structure of the instrument. Convergent validity was demonstrated through a correlation with Instagram addiction of 0.47 (p<0.01), and divergent validity was shown through correlations with life satisfaction (-0.39) and well-being (-0.37) (p<0.01). The reliability of the online game addiction scale was 0.83 using Cronbach's alpha and 0.74 using the retest method. According to the obtained findings, it can be concluded that Khazaal et al.'s online game addiction scale has acceptable psychometric properties in an adolescent sample and can be used in the field of behavioral addiction studies, including adolescent game addiction.Extended Abstract:IntroductionGaming has become one of the central recreational activities for children, adolescents, and, increasingly in recent decades, adults. With the rapid advancement of digital technology and the widespread availability of the internet, engagement in computer-based games has grown substantially, especially among younger populations (Prevratil et al., 2022). Psychological assessments are essential for evaluating behavioral and emotional variables, and given the growing popularity of computer-based and online games among diverse age groups, including older adults (Statista, 2022), the assessment of gaming addiction has gained considerable importance. Over the past decade, substantial research has been conducted on online gaming addiction and internet gaming disorder—two closely related concepts—part of which has focused on developing and validating reliable assessment tools (Khazaal et al., 2018). Considering that gaming constitutes a significant part of daily life for many individuals, particularly adolescents, having access to valid, reliable, culturally relevant, and time-efficient instruments for assessing gaming addiction is crucial. Children and adolescents, who represent the largest proportion of computer-game users, are at higher risk of experiencing psychological and social consequences associated with excessive gaming. Therefore, the need for a short, psychometrically sound, and culturally appropriate tool is evident. Given the prevalence of gaming in Iran and the lack of recently standardized instruments tailored to the Iranian cultural context, the present study aimed to validate and establish normative data for a gaming addiction scale among adolescents.MethodThis study employed a descriptive–survey design. The statistical population consisted of all middle and high school students in Alborz Province, from which a sample of 400 students was selected using cluster sampling. After removing 26 outlier cases, the final sample included 374 participants. All adolescents in the sample played computer games at least three times per week for two to three hours per session. Data were collected by distributing the survey link through class social network channels. The instruments included the Online Gaming Addiction Scale developed by Lemmens et al. (2009), the Instagram Addiction Scale (Kircaburun & Griffiths, 2018), Ryff’s (1979) Psychological Well-being Scale, and the Single-Item Life Satisfaction Scale by Sharifi Fard et al. (2021).ResultsOf the total participants, 228 (61%) were boys and 146 (39%) were girls. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted using principal component analysis with varimax rotation on the seven items of the gaming addiction scale. Based on eigenvalues greater than one, a single-factor structure emerged, accounting for approximately 51% of the total variance in gaming addiction. Convergent validity was supported by a significant positive correlation between the gaming addiction scale and the Instagram addiction scale (r = 0.47, p < 0.01). Divergent validity was examined through correlations with psychological well-being and life satisfaction. As expected, gaming addiction was negatively and significantly correlated with both psychological well-being (r = –0.37, p < 0.01) and life satisfaction (r = –0.39, p < 0.01), supporting the scale’s discriminant validity. Reliability analyses showed satisfactory coefficients: Cronbach’s alpha was 0.83, and test–retest reliability was 0.74, indicating good internal consistency and temporal stability. Analysis of gender differences revealed no statistically significant difference in gaming addiction scores between boys and girls (p > 0.05).ConclusionThe findings demonstrate that the gaming addiction scale possesses strong psychometric properties within the adolescent population. These results are consistent with previous studies confirming the psychometric adequacy of gaming-related assessment tools (Khazaal et al., 2018) and align with research by Whang and Chang (2002) and Anuthawarn (2008) on the characteristics and correlates of gaming addiction. Similar to other behavioral addictions, such as addiction to social networking platforms (e.g., Instagram), gaming addiction is characterized by excessive time investment driven by uncontrollable urges, which can lead to adverse real-life consequences. Online games, due to their engaging and immersive nature, particularly attract children and adolescents, who are developmentally more prone to emotional reactivity and impulsivity. High levels of involvement in gaming may cause neglect of academic responsibilities, reduced school performance, and interpersonal conflicts with family members and peers (Rosyid et al., 2019). Considering the increasing prevalence of computer-based gaming and the potential benefits and harms associated with it (Rosyid et al., 2019), as well as the practical advantages of the present scale—such as short administration time, ease of scoring, and clear interpretability—the validated scale can serve as a useful and appropriate tool for assessing gaming addiction among Iranian adolescents.

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Volume 6 (2020)

Volume 5 (2019)

Volume 4 (2018)

Volume 3 (2017)

Volume 2 (2016)

Volume 1 (2015)

Volume & Issue: Volume 11, Issue 43, May 2026, Pages 230-1

Rethinking Parenting Styles in the Age of Mobile Phones: A Cultural Study of Iranian Families

Abstract

Development and Validation of an Educational Package for Behavior Management in Cyberspace and Its Effectiveness on Mental Health and Academic Self-Regulation Among Female Secondary School Students in Tehran

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An Aesthetic Typology of the Visual Content of Everyday Instagram Bloggers: The Case of Sepideh Bazmi-Pour

Abstract

Representation of Afghanistan in Western Digital Games Industry: A Case Study of Action Games After September 11, 2001

Abstract

Modeling Customer Attractors Using Social Media Marketing in Omid Entrepreneurship Fund with a Structural-Interpretive Approach

Abstract

Validation of the Game Addiction Scale among Adolescents

Abstract