Abstract:
The study aimed to track, monitor and analyze the various negative
impacts of social media on the contemporary family through a field study
from the parents' point of view in Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia. The study
uses the analytical descriptive approach since it is the most appropriate for
achieving the research objectives. The research sample comprised 218 fathers
and mothers of the parents' group in Al-Jouf region. The data were analyzed
using the SPSS statistical program, which allowed us to draw the following
results: It allowed children more freedom to engage in various personal
relationships beyond parental restrictions and control; declined internal
family relations between spouses, between parents and children, and between
children themselves; became a source of many extraneous behavioural and
moral values that are contrary to family values;contributed; exhibited family
privacy on social media; weakened attention to time as an economic value in
the family; negatively affected the dress code, type of language and level of
communication within the family. In addition, it made necessary to educate
children on the safe and positive use of social media, and on the importance of
regular family activities )family trips, family dialogue sessions... etc; ensure
family dialogue about the contents and trends of social media, and encourage
the reporting of any risks or exploitations arising from social media.
