Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Political Geography, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2
Department of Public Administration, Aras International Campus, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3
Department of Cultural and Social Governance, Faculty of Governance, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Given the expanding role of cyberspace in contemporary social structures, this study aimed to identify the opportunities and threats of cyberspace within the domain of social capital. Participants in this qualitative research included faculty members in social sciences and managers from the National Center for Cyberspace, selected using purposive sampling. Theoretical saturation was reached after 17 semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on the Attride-Stirling approach. Findings show that cyberspace, as a dual-sided ecosystem, simultaneously creates significant opportunities to enhance social capital and serious threats to weaken it. Major identified themes include the enhancement of knowledge competencies or the decline of cultural and cognitive foundations; facilitation of communication or instability in family cohesion; social cohesion or social divergence; trust-building or social distrust; civic participation or passivity; innovation or disruption of social norms; mental and psychosocial well-being or harm; and soft power or international threats, as the most prominent opportunities and threats of cyberspace in the realm of social capital. The intensity and direction of these opportunities and threats are influenced by users’ media literacy, the quality of digital governance, and supportive cultural and educational mechanisms. Accordingly, strengthening digital literacy, supporting local content, smart legislation, and enhancing cybersecurity are essential strategies for leveraging opportunities and controlling threats posed by cyberspace in the path of reinforcing social capital. In conclusion, cyberspace is neither an absolute threat nor a complete opportunity, but rather an influential tool that, with effective governance, can become a constructive platform for social sustainability, advancement of social responsibility, and enhancement of social capital.
Keywords