Investigating the Role and Treatment of Virtual Social Networks on Mental Health and Violence in Youth

Background & Aims: Most teens use the Internet as a tool to build and maintain relationships with their peers. This rich culture strongly influences the technology, skills and interests of young people and adolescents. Students are among the most users of virtual networks due to their literacy. Students are one of the most used users of virtual networks due to their extracurricular activities. However, the negative effects of the use of communication technologies and social networks in the form of violence are undeniable. Anger, violence and aggression are in fact a kind of emotion and behavior in conflict with civilization. Civilization is a quality of social behavior in which there is a kind of consensus on the boundaries of privacy. Undoubtedly, young people, especially students, are more prone to civilization than violence. Despite their risks, social media can bring benefits if used properly. Social violence Unfortunately, today it affects a wide range of young people in our society, and this is worrying for our society in transition, which needs a healthy youth force and wants to leave its future in the hands of these young people. Iran has a young age structure, so the study of youth issues and problems is one of the research priorities. One of the most important issues in relation to young people at all levels of society (government, education, family, etc.) is the issue of behavioral disorders of young people in the form of violence. Among the youth anomalies, aggression is more pronounced and its frequency is higher and in terms of increasing the age of aggression in underdeveloped societies such as Iran, is one of the most important social issues of peripheral countries, especially peripheral countries with young age structure. Numerous reports in journals and researches indicate the frequency of aggression and its increase and spread among young people and the increasing and increasing issue of youth aggression. Aggressive behavioral patterns are becoming more prevalent among young people and even girls. In the current situation, the society in transition in Iran is facing many social, intellectual and cultural problems, and the student youth are an important part of the human capital of the society. Understanding the role of these networks in reducing violence and improving mental health in society can be explored, given the two-way and reciprocal approach between student users and social networks. The answer is yes. Violence and mental health are related to each other. The existence of violence is one of the social harms that has harmful physical and psychological effects and the role of cyberspace on it is not known; Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of the therapeutic role of virtual social networks on mental health and violence in young people. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted with a mixed approach. The statistical population of the study was the qualitative section of the experts of the university complex of the province and in the quantitative section, the students of the Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch and Allameh Tabatabai University. Using Cochran's formula, 384 people were selected as a statistical sample and selected by available random sampling method. Data collection tools were semi-structured interview and researcher-made questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using LISREL and SPSS20 software. Results: The results showed that control of social networks leads to improved levels of violence and mental health in young people (p <0.05). Conclusion: In general, it can be said that the correct use of social networks is effective in reducing violence and increasing mental health among adolescents and young students; Therefore, it is necessary to provide the necessary training to young people and families on the proper use of virtual social networks. The phenomenon of violence is pervasive and does not belong to a particular community, although its extent varies from country to country or from city to city; Nevertheless, it can be said that most societies suffer from it. Violence is a new and common injury in society. Violent children try to dominate other children through physical or verbal violence. But given the dire consequences of aggression, it must be prevented. Of course, it should be noted that in order to control aggression, one should not punish the aggressive child. Rather, proper guidance of punishment in certain circumstances by parents, educators, and the police can lead to the correction of aggressive behavior, in which case punishment is applied in a controlled manner. But the best way to control aggression seems to be for children to learn how to control their anger and to better manage their actions and manage opportunities for aggression based on the social behaviors of others. Knowing the characteristics of each stage of development, Strengthening children's social behaviors such as: cooperating, participating, expressing empathy and empathy, warning of the possible consequences of aggressive behavior, gently punishing the aggressor, punishing aggression patterns, keeping the aggressor away from the place of aggression Strengthen anti-aggression behaviors, provide a set of arguments about the dangers and consequences of aggression with the aggressor or victims of aggression. Virtual society will never replace real society; Rather, it will act as a facilitator of social experiences. Communication facilities allow us to connect with communities of common interest in new ways globally and remotely. As a result, by joining these "remote communities" we will be able to build better social relationships with neighbors, colleagues and other citizens in the real world in the real world. Each social network has its own communication culture, that is, it has chosen a special and unique character and speech. Of course, one can find networks that have adopted an imitative communication culture. By joining any social network, a person becomes involved in a certain type of communication culture, which includes: attitude, reliance on words, special terms, behavior, personality and appearance type, and so on. Undoubtedly, the degree to which a person is affected by this environment will not be absolute zero. So each social network promotes its desired identity. For example, on sites such as Facebook, FriendFeed, and Twitter, the user not only joins the large community of the site in question, but also joins smaller groups and social networks. Each of these groups has its own affiliation and, consequently, a specific communication culture. Thus, in being influenced by the communication culture of these groups, one finds it necessary to change one's communication identity, that is, the style and identity of one's general actions in relation to others; Although this change of identity is temporary and limited to a specific time and place; But without a doubt, it will not be ineffective in the real identity of the person. According to the research results, it is suggested that the necessary training be given to young people and families in the field of proper use of virtual social networks, as well as the production and construction of programs and software for familiarity and free training on how to use the network. Social activities and increase motivation among young people to participate in associations and group organizations and institutional relationships.