Subjects = Social Networks Analysis
sociology

Instagram as a complementary technology to Neoliberalism

Volume 25, Issue 2, Winter 2025, Pages 35-64

https://doi.org/10.22034/jsi.2025.2034705.1731

Farshad Goudarzi

Abstract This article explores the social network Instagram as a part of neoliberal power technologies. Accordingly, five different readings of Instagram as a part of the neoliberal organization have been presented. The method of this article is documentary and the study of scientific texts related to the research topic. The findings of this article are based on the views of theorists such as Nick Sernichek, Janis Varoufakis, Byung chul Han, Zygmunt Baumann, Jean Baudrillard,  and etc. The story of five readings: "Instagram as a space for the accumulation of virtual capital", "Instagram as a virtual tool", "Instagram: the crisis of freedom and transparency", "Instagram: celebrity and self-branding", and "Instagram is a manifestation of the postmodern state and the fluidity of life". Also, the results of this article show that Instagram, as an ideological space, seeks to promote neoliberal values and has a structural position in the cultural and economic arena in neoliberal organizations.
 

sociology

A Sociological Study of the Social Organization of Rural Migrants in the City and its Role in Local Development (Case Study of Tehran-Vila Neighborhood)

Volume 25, Issue 4, Winter 2025, Pages 33-58

https://doi.org/10.22034/jsi.2025.2054081.1774

Hossein Imani Jajermi, fateme Barghani Barzgari

Abstract This research examines the role of social organization among rural migrants in the city and its impact on local development, focusing on the perspectives of Portes and Boomsma within the Tehran-Vila neighborhood in Tehran's District Two. The study employed a qualitative approach with a grounded theory strategy. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and narratives from 40 individuals (comprising three generations of migrants, including 13 women and 27 men) in Tehran-Vila (destination) and Bidok Yazd (origin), along with insights from 6 key informants, focus group sessions, field observations, and analysis of secondary statistical data. The resulting analysis identified the core category as "Migrant Social Organizations as Facilitators of Local Development." The findings indicate that the social organizations of rural migrants have acted as democratic institutions; by creating support networks and strengthening a sense of belonging to the neighborhood, they have contributed to improving the quality of life, enhancing social solidarity, and facilitating residents' participation in local development processes.

sociology

Social Networks and Demands of Students in Kermanshah City

Volume 25, Issue 4, Winter 2025, Pages 89-115

https://doi.org/10.22034/jsi.2025.2052312.1769

Masoumeh Mirzaei, Susan Bastani, Mansoureh Azam Azadeh

Abstract The present study was conducted to identify students' social demands and how they are formed, using a qualitative network analysis approach. To collect information, semi-structured interviews were conducted with (24) girl and boy students in the second year of high school in Kermanshah City. Participants were selected from schools (three educational districts) using purposive sampling. According to the research findings, students' social demands have been extracted into four overarching themes: " rotating traditional paradigms ", "balance of rights/responsibilities", "opportunity to be seen", and "liberation from the image of an accepting student", and are coherent with the final theme of "life with the joy of this world". Data analysis showed that adolescents' social demands do not form in a vacuum; rather, they examine and compare opinions by establishing connections and exchanging opinions with actors in their situational and preferred networks. During the exchange of ideas with network members, they learn about new ideas that cause them to rethink their mental interpretations of the meanings of demands. This leads to the formation of new desires in them. Although the range of relationship density in situational networks is greater than in preferential networks, due to the internal content of preferential networks (Extensiveness of relationships, diversity of topics, intimacy and belonging in selected relationships) The impact of opinions on these networks is deeper.

sociology

Child - virtual slave; a study on the emerging phenomenon of children of virtual work

Volume 25, Issue 1, Winter 2025, Pages 121-146

https://doi.org/10.22034/jsi.2024.2010196.1730

Reza kordbacheh, parvin savadian, Alieh shekarbeugi

Abstract
Abstract:

The emergence of inclusive and income-generating social networks such as Instagram in today's era, which has provided the ability to display and share daily life events for its users; This has caused us to face the novel and new phenomenon of "virtual working children" or "Instagram working children", children who actually work as virtual workers under the command of their employers, including their parents or first-degree relatives, in these virtual social networks. Therefore, the sociological analysis of the social contexts of the formation and emergence of this phenomenon in society has been the main goal of this research. The research method is qualitative and based on foundation data, and the subjects were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. The participants are actually the parents of children who, as their employers, manage their work-advertising activities in the Instagram virtual network. Therefore, 20 parents answered the researcher's questions through semi-structured in-depth interviews. The type of activities and tasks done by children on the Instagram social network are classified into three categories: A- Advertising works, B- Demonstration works and C- Service works. The data from this research was extracted after the three stages of coding, including open, central and selective, a total of 255 concepts, 22 sub-categories and 4 main categories. The categories are: "virtual bio-business, virtual child, fluid identity and the ultimate desirability of parent-centered" and finally by combining the obtained models. The core category of "virtual slave child" was introduced. A type of modern slavery and virtual exploitation that is carried out in the streets by street children to provide a minimum livelihood and survive, but in cyber space with the aim of earning millions, becoming a celebrity and displaying all aspects of their lives by the parents-employers of virtual children. It is visible.