The impact of social media use on changing the cultural patterns of the Libyan family (A field study on a sample of families in the Al-Jumah area - Zliten)

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the extent of social media usage among Libyan families and to analyze its impact on family relationships, including the relationship between spouses, the relationship between parents and children, as well as family bonds in general. It also sought to monitor certain cultural and value-related transformations that may occur among family members. To achieve these objectives, the study adopted the social survey method using a random sampling technique, as it was deemed appropriate for the nature of the study.

The research sample consisted of 98 household heads, selected to represent the study population. The results showed that the level of reliance on social media among household heads ranged from moderate to high, with approximately 54.1% of the sample spending a considerable amount of time using these platforms. The findings also indicated that the effects on family relationships were at a moderate level, with an overall mean of (1.77). Some positive aspects emerged, such as enhancing family cohesion (2.41) and strengthening family supervision (2.39), while negative indicators—such as reduced family interaction or increased tensions within the family—appeared at relatively lower levels.

Regarding cultural transformations, the overall mean reached (2.11), indicating a moderate level of impact. Positive aspects were reflected in broadening intellectual and cultural horizons (2.76), enhancing cultural awareness (2.57), and contributing to the formation of cultural identity (2.48). In contrast, negative indicators of cultural change were relatively low, such as changes in customs and values (1.39) and linguistic changes (1.36), which suggests a degree of cultural resilience among Libyan families.

The results also revealed that the use of social media did not directly affect the level of commitment of families to local customs and traditions, which can be attributed to effective family supervision and strong adherence to the value system. Statistical analyses further indicated a moderate positive correlation between the duration of social media use and cultural changes (0.43), as well as between the diversity of platforms used and these changes (0.40). Additionally, a moderate-to-strong relationship was found between cultural changes and family changes, reaching (0.50). .