Social Media and Youth in Pakistan: Implications on Family Relations (2024)

Rabia Ali^*

International Islamic University Islamabad,Pakistan

*Corresponding Author:

Rabia Ali
International Islamic University Islamabad,Pakistan
Tel: +92 51 9019100
E-mail: arulselvan.senthivel@gmail.com

Received date: February 27, 2016; Accepted date: June 23, 2016; Published date: June 30, 2016

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Abstract

Social Networking Sites (SNS) are increasingly becoming a focus of discussion in the academic literature across the globe. The current research was conducted to explore the effects of social media on youth in contemporary Pakistan especially focusing on the change in family relations. Under the paradigm of quantitative research methodology the researchers used survey method to collect data. Data was collected through structured questionnaire from 175 Masters level students from the International Islamic University Islamabad who were excessively using SNS. The respondents were selected by using Random sampling technique and stratified sampling technique. The findings show that the majority (94%) of the respondents acknowledged that excessive use of social media affects family relationships negatively. They reported to have experienced being isolated and alienated from relatives, friends and from themselves. This in turn was reported to lead to introvert personalities. In the light of the findings it can be concluded that the use of SNS among youth is reducing the bonding of the youth with their family and is changing the value system.

Keywords

Socialmedia; Family relations; Technological sociology; Socio-culturalvalues; Pakistan

Introduction

In the modern era internet has grown to be one of the mostpowerful sources to connect people [1]. With the advancement ofinternet Social Networking Sites (SNS) are increasingly becomingpopular [2] and have become the most up to date and attractivetools for connecting people across the world [3]. These sites havecreated transnational, international and national spaces wherestrangers meet and tie in social relations. Some of the mostpopular SNS include MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Viberand what Sapp. These have made it possible to easily connectwith the world and these applications have attracted millions ofusers, plenty of whom have integrated these in to their every daypractices. The social network sites have thus changed the waypeople connect across the world [4].

When it comes to the popularity of SNS developing countriestoo are at the forefront. In the context of Pakistan social media isgetting distinction day by day [5]. Thirty million people in Pakistanhave been reported to be online everyday and the number is growing quickly. Likewise there are 120 million versatile endorsersin Pakistan that make it the fifth biggest cellular telephoneshowcase in Asia [6]. Face book is presently the most broadlyutilized social media site in Pakistan with nine million clients in thenation. It has been reported that face book has over one millionsupporters a month and 44 thousand new clients joining the siteconsistently. Pakistan’s face book audience has been reportedto be 70% male, 30% female as of April 2013 [7]. Face book hasturned into one of the fundamental channels of correspondencebetween evacuee Pakistanis living in the Gulf States, Europeannations and the US and their families back home [8].

Scholarship on the use of SNS is huge. Research on SNS offersdetailed account of its association with multiple aspects includingviolence among youth and issues related with harassmentresulting from excessive use of social media. The role of socialmedia in creating activism has been researched in variouscontexts [9], the connection of social media with social capitalhas been debated [10,11], and the association of social mediawith identity construction has been discussed [12]. Previous research has also highlighted the challenges and opportunitiesrelated to SNS across the world [13].

The association between SNS and family relationship is also anarea which has been researched widely across the globe. In thisregards a growing concern related with SNS has been reported tobe the increasing change in the behavior and interests of peopletowards their relatives. There was a time when people aroundthe world were conscious about relationships, family matters andtheir friends circle but the scenario has changed in the recentpast. People who used to give plenty of time to their familiesand their social circle spent hours and hours on surfing internetor other futile activities. It has been argued that because of thisplenty of families are now lacking the close emotional pledgesthat build when they have close social contact [14].

This indicates that SNS have influenced the family connections.Excessive use of SNS has been reported to lead to the isolationof individuals because they restrict themselves to their roomsand neglect the family gatherings. Individuals who becomeaccustomed to the use of internet do not realize the wastageof time. Hence, in Pakistan as well as in the rest of the worldexcessive use of SNS is turning to be a threat for the youth.

In the light of the above discussion and considering the extremelyhigh usage of SNS in Pakistan the current study was conductedto explore the relation between social media youth and familyrelations.

Research Objectives

1. To investigate the reasons for the excessive use of socialmedia among youth.

2. To explore the effects of excessive use of social media onfamily relations.

Literature Review

Previous studies show that adolescents make a great transitionfrom a focus on parents to a focus on peers. In adolescence peersbecome increasingly important and forming and maintainingfriendships becomes one of the main challenges. Until now mostresearch on social development of adolescence had focused onin-person interactions. In the contemporary world a shift hasoccurred from real-life social interactions with peers to onlinesocial interaction on SNS [15,16].

Social Networking Sites have been known as a platform to buildsocial relations among individuals. This has especially beenso for individuals who for example, share interests, activities,backgrounds, or real-life connections. However, recently theexcessive use of SNS among youth has been reported due toaccess to internet. The amount of time spent on social media hasdramatically increased over the last few years since electronicshave become popular in our everyday lives [16,17].

The excessive use of SNS in turn has been reported to affect theperformance of individuals in real life [5]. The new generation ofkids and teens are growing up with social media as an integralpart of their lives. It is changing how they interact with peers,parents and how they use technology [18]. Individuals who useSNS excessively have reported to feel unproductive and distracted in school, at work and from relationships [5]. Instead of focusingon work, school and family, the youth today spend majority oftime online. As a consequent of spending time on SNS youthtend to neglect obligations. This has been reported to negativelyimpact the lives of the youth and their relationships with families.

Research shows that the overwhelming submission to theSNS has pulled people away from traditional social settings,neighborhoods, voluntary associations, and public spaces thathave been associated with large and diverse core networks[19]. The impact of social media utilization on interpersonalconnections is changing the way individuals interact in faceto face communications. It is also believed to have diminishedthe social and behavioral abilities of humans. The SNS havechanged the conduct and hobbies of the individuals towards theirrelatives and have been reported to have weakened family ties[14]. This is because when individuals communicate online theydon’t feel personally connected to the people at the as they dowhen during face-to-face conversations. Hence, though peoplemay be communicating more on the internet but they may notnecessarily be building strong relationships [6].

This is especially true for the youth who spend hours on theSNS completely ignoring real relations. According to researchconducted in the context of USA has Americans in the last fewdecades have become isolated socially. The social groups ofpeople in America have been reported to have decreased.In particular, Americans are believed to have fewer closeties to those from their neighborhoods and from voluntaryassociations [19].

One reason for weakening of ties has been reported that youthspend more time with peers on line than they spend with theirfamilies [20] in their research have explained that use of SNSamong youth has affected family life. Nearly one in three parentsin their study had such feelings. Rosen and his colleagues alsofound that teens who spent a great time on Myspace believedthat they lacked support support from their parents. In addition,research indicates that the excessive usage of social mediaincreases level of loneliness and isolation and reduces bondingamong intimate relations. As they become attached to theircomputers and smart phones individuals tend to show lessconcern towards family matters and families are now lacking theclose emotional pledges [13].

Social Networking Sites have also been reported to affect theacademic performance of the students. It has been found thatthe spending of unnecessary time on the internet can haveserious implications for the performance of students at academicinstitutions. Hence, though the SNS may be a great means forenjoying yet the problem arises when individuals subtly substituteelectronic relationships for physical ones. Though people may feelconnected to peers via the Internet, yet this relation paradoxicallyengenders a sense of social isolation.

Likewise, qualitative evidence adds that social networkingsites such as Myspace can also result in serious conflict amongparents and children leading to reduced control of parents overtheir children [21]. However some researchers have argued thatinternet may not be a problem when sufficient supervision was available and when it was ensured that they used it properly. Astudy by Gustavo Mesch found that family time was not affectedwhen adolescents used the computer for educational purposesonly if they used it for social purposes then there will be negativeeffect on family interaction [22]. So, it is imperative that parentsshould be able to keep check on how their children use theinternet by placing a time limit on long they can spend on thecomputer [23].

However, in majority of the cases it has been reported thatparents may not know much about their teen's online activities.There is gap in the existing literature on parents knowledge oftheir children use of social media. Often parents are not awareof their online friends and what information o they have accessto. For example parents are reported to be unaware about thetime teens spend on Myspace [20]. In such cases parents maynot be effective at setting limits and monitoring the activities ofthe children. For being able to reduce the gap between parentsand children the parents also need to be educated about socialmedia.

Due to the above reasons and others the limitations of SNSare also being debated across the world. Some scholars haveconsidered the excessive use of SNS as a threat and danger tofamilies and society. However, people who explicitly emphasizethe drawbacks of social media are not entirely against the ideaof networking. Yet they are of the opinion that the replicatedrelationships become dominant in the lives of excessive mediausers than those of their real relationships. This is how socialnetworking becomes a threat to our families and societies [24].

Methodology

The current study was conducted by using a quantitative approachthat emphasizes on objective measurements and numericalanalysis of collected data. It relies on statistical approaches togenerate valid and empirical results. The tool for current researchwas survey. Research instrument for current research datacollection was questionnaire.

The area/locale of current research was International IslamicUniversity Islamabad. The target population was the femalestudents enrolled in Masters programmes in various departmentsin the Faculty of Social Sciences belonging to age group 20-26who reported to be using SNS excessively. Since the aim of thisstudy was to focus on the excessive usage of SNS and its effectshence those students who reported to use SNS excessively wereselected purposively. By using stratified sampling technique 175students were selected for the interviews.

In the first phase of the study pretesting was carried out bydistributing 30 questionnaires in order to check the reliability ofthe instrument. For the analysis of quantitative data, statisticalpackage for social sciences (SPSS) was used which facilitatesthe researcher in more than one way such as time saving andreduction of large amount data to basic pattern etc. Univariateanalysis has been done to interpret the data.

Results and Discussion

The selected respondents belonged to various departments in thefaculty of Social Sciences including Sociology (32%), Psychology(24.57%) and Education (43.42%). The majority of the respondents (94.3%) were single and unemployed (87.42%). The respondentsbelonged to different types of family systems i.e. 54.3% wereliving in joint family system, 43.4% living in nuclear family systemand 2.3% respondents were living in extended family system. Thedata shows that the majority (55.7%) respondents spent 6-10hours on SNS per day using different apps and visiting differentsites (Table 1).

Table 1: Applications used by the respondents.

The availability of applications is the first thing which attractsyoungsters to SNS. The data shows that the majority of therespondents 38.9% used four plus apps on the SNS.

According to the data from this study the most popular SNS wastwitter as evidenced from the fact that 33.7% respondents wereusing it. Face book was reported to be used by 20.6%, whatsappwas used by 19.4% respondents, viber was used by 7.4%respondents, youtube was used by 6.9% respondents, tango wasused by 9.1% respondents, and skype was reported to be used by2.3% respondents (Table 2).

Table 2: Opinion about recreational activities.

The respondents were asked about the daily activities theyperformed during free time (Table 2). When asked if they wouldprefer to spend time with family members instead of being onsocial media 88% responded that they would sometimes prefer itand 8.6% responded that they would always prefer it. This showsthat social networking sites reduce the actual human contact andthose who are active on social sites appear not to have time forthe actual life interactions.

The respondents were also inquired if they helped theirparents in free time. According to the data, 70.9% respondentssaid sometimes, 27.84% respondents said always and 1.7%respondents said never. In response to the question if they likedbeing on the SNS sites the responses were 36.0% said sometimes,59.4% said always and very few like 4.6% said never (Table 3).

Table 3: Reasons for using SNS.

Previous research shows that teenagers use SNS for a numberof reasons. One of such reasons has been reported to make newfriends and to stay in touch with existing friends. It has been foundthat social media users under the age of 50 are especially likelyto say that these tools help them keep up with existing friendsand reconnect with old ones-roughly seven in ten users underthe age of fifty say that staying in touch with current friends is a major reason they use online social platforms, and just overhalf say that connecting with old friends they’ve lost touch with isequally important [1]. Research on SNS and youth has also foundthat girls usage of sites is mainly for the purpose of strengthenpre-existing friendships and for boys it for flirting and making newfriends [25].

The data from this study shows that the primary purpose of theSNS for the respondents was to make new friends and to stayin touch with the existing friends. 76.0% responded that theysometimes used SNS to make new friends and stay in touchwith old friends while 10.3% stated always used SNS to makenew friends and to remain in touch with existing friends. Therespondents were also of the view that they often preferred tointeract with people with common interests. When asked if theyused SNS for finding old friends 73.1% said sometimes and 26.3%said always. When inquired if they used SNS to communicatewith existing friends 88.6% replied always. 69.1% responded thatthey sometimes used SNS to interact with people with commoninterest and 85.7% respondents replied that they always usedSNS to kill time (Table 4).

Table 4: Negative effects of SNS on personal and family life.

In order to determine in what ways the SNS had effected familyrelations the respondents were asked further questions. Theresponses of the respondents indicate that SNS have oftennegative effects which lead to change in social relations bydecreasing family bonding.

Some of the negative aspects discussed were more connectionwith online friends than time spent with family reported by 80%(to a great extent), and 14.9% (to some extent) and more relianceon electronic medium reported by 61.1% (to a great extent).Similar findings have been reported in previous studies [7].Likewise emotional disturbance was reported to be one negativeeffect of social media. The respondents were asked to give theirviews as to what extent they were facing emotional disturbance.According to data 88.6% said to some extent, 4.6% said to greatextent and 4.0% respondents said not at all. It was also inquiredto what extent using social media increases the level of lonelinessamong the individuals. According to the data 69.1% said to someextent, 28.0% said to great extent, and 2.9% said not at all.

The data also shows that the respondents have less emotionalbonding with the family. According to data 65.1% agreed to thissaid to some extent, 24.6% to great extent, and 7.4% not at all.The fact that the bonding of the respondents with their familymembers is decreasing is also evident from the fact that themajority of the respondents reported to be leased concernedwith family matter. In response the statement ‘least concerned about family matters’ 71.4% respondents reported to a greatextent while (Table 5).

Table 5: Positive effects of SNS.

Despite the negative effects the data shows that social mediahas some healthy merits as well (Table 6). The respondents wereasked to what extent they agreed or disagreed with the statementthat social media is a medium of communication between oldfriends. According to data 17.7% respondents strongly agreed,81.7% agreed and .6% were neutral. The respondents wereasked to what extent they agreed with the statement that socialmedia is a source of making new friends. According to data 24.6%respondents were strongly agreed, 65.7% respondents wereagreed, 8.6% respondents were neutral and 1.1% was disagreed.

Table 6: SNS and family relationships.

Social media is also believed to update about latest fashiontrends. The respondent was asked to what extent they agreedwith this statement. According to data 70.3% respondentsreported to strongly agree, 29.1% respondents agreed, and 0.6%respondents were neutral.

Social media is also a good source for remaining in touch withfamily members living abroad. It is believed to have allowedmigrant families across the world to communicate with easewhere communication through occasional letters and phonecalls used to be expensive. According to data 90.3% respondentsstrongly agreed, 6.9% respondents agreed, 2.3% respondentswere neutral, 0.6% respondents disagreed.

When the respondents were inquired if they had found their lifepartner on the SNS the responses were interesting. According to the data 1.7% strongly agreed, 25.7% agreed to the statement,14.3% were neutral, 31.4% disagreed and 26.9% stronglydisagreed. Previous research shows that very few social mediausers say that finding potential romantic partners or people todate plays a role in their use of these sites [1].

The respondents were asked that they found social media agreat way to enjoy leisure or when alone. According to the data53.1% strongly agreed, 36.0% agreed, 9.7% were neutral, 0.6%disagreed and 6% strongly disagreed. The respondents wereasked if they had got awareness about global scenario. Accordingto the data 42.9% strongly agreed, 46.9% agreed and 10.3% wereneutral. Source: survey.

The negative effects of SNS discussed above clearly indicateits influence on family relations. It is clear that as a result ofaccess to electronic the respondents reported to connectedwith their online friends. This resulted in emotional disturbanceand loneliness on one hand and importantly the respondentsacknowledged having least concern with family matters and lessemotional bonding with the family. In order to determine in whatparticular ways family relations are being affected by the useof SNS further questions were asked from the respondents. Inresponse to the statement if the use of social media has becomea trend 83.4% strongly agreed and 16.6% agreed.

In response to the question if SNS had reduced face to faceinteraction 70% strongly agreed. When asked if social mediamakes family relations nonexistent 42.3% respondents stronglyagreed, 43.4% were agreed, 8.6% were neutral, 4.0% weredisagreed and 1.7% strongly disagreed. Previous research hassuggested that internet communication had a negative impacton the individual by reducing face-to-face interactions andincreasing level of loneliness [26]. Research has also found thatteens use media and instant messaging as a substitute for face toface interaction with friends [27].

In order to determine how use of SNS affects social relations therespondents were asked if addiction to social media detachesindividuals from siblings. To this question 46.3% respondentsstrongly agreed, 44.6% agreed, 7.4% were neutral, 1.1% wasdisagreed and 0.6% strongly disagreed.

The respondents were asked if families are now lacking the closeemotional pledges because of excessive usage of social media.According to data 49.1% strongly agreed, 42.3% agreed, 6.9%were neutral, 1.1% was disagreed and 0.6% strongly disagreedto the statement. This has also been reported in previous studiesthat families are now lacking the close emotional pledges withtheir offspring and that SNS have changed the behavior &interests of the people towards their relatives [28-30].

Conclusion

The aim of the study was to find out how social networkingsites are affecting family relationships in Pakistani society. Thedata shows that SNS are contributing in many ways and thereare many positive attributes associated with the use of the SNS.Yet negative effects of SNS cannot be ignored. Importantly, thedata shows that the use of SNS is deeply associated with familyrelationships. Excessive usage of SNS is alienating the youth andmaking them isolated. While doing this the social media is creatinggap between the family and youth. The youth in contemporaryPakistan are being detached from their families and friends as aresult of the time they spend online. This has serious implicationson the cultural values of the Pakistani society. This indicates thatnotwithstanding the fact that access to SNS has changed the wayindividuals think, how they interact, the way they experience life,the way they share opinions, and make friends and importantlythe way they exercise their right to vote. However, it’s time toreconsider the use of SNS to keep a balance between the changingglobal world and the values and norms of the society.

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