Peer-reviewed article
Presenting a Model of Social Media Influence in Combating Parental Violence Against Children
Anas Ali Abdulwahid Alobaidi, Narges Atrian, Haider Falah Zaeid Almashkheel, Mojtaba Aghajani ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This qualitative study developed a model explaining how social media influences parents to change behaviors that involve violence against children. Using interviews with 13 experts, researchers identified how social media campaigns, personal stories, and emotional content can increase parental empathy and reflection on their own parenting. The model shows that behavior change happens through multiple linked factors including parents' exposure history, media literacy, access to counseling, and engagement in online discussions. The findings suggest social media could be a tool for educational programs to reduce parental violence.
Key points
- Social media influences parental behavior change through experiential narratives, emotional messaging, real-life imagery, and advocacy campaigns
- Behavior change occurs through a chain of causal, contextual, intervening, strategic, and consequential factors rather than directly
- Key intervening factors include counseling services and social support
- Media literacy level and social status act as contextual factors affecting behavior change
- The model can guide development of educational, counseling, and media-based interventions
Limitations
This qualitative study relies on interviews with experts and specialists rather than direct observation of actual parental behavior change, so it cannot demonstrate whether social media exposure actually reduces violence or only identifies mechanisms through which it could. The study does not measure behavioral outcomes or compare effectiveness against other intervention approaches.
Abstract
The present study aimed to design and explain a model of social media influence in combating domestic violence against children and its role in modifying and changing parental behavior. Utilizing a qualitative approach and grounded theory methodology based on Strauss and Corbin’s paradigm model, this study sought to identify the discursive, contextual, intervening, and strategic components influencing parental behavior in response to media content related to domestic violence. The research population consisted of parents with experience using social media to gain awareness about children’s rights and parenting issues. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 13 experts and specialists and analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding techniques. Findings indicated that social media, through experiential narratives, emotional messaging, real-life imagery, and advocacy campaigns, plays a significant role in enhancing empathy, sensitivity, and parental reflection on their own behaviors. The resulting model revealed that parental attitude and behavior change does not occur directly but through a chain of causal factors (e.g., history of exposure to violence), contextual factors (e.g., media literacy level and social status), intervening factors (e.g., counseling services and social support), strategic factors (e.g., parental engagement in sharing and online discussions), and consequential factors (e.g., changes in parenting style). This model can serve as a foundation for developing educational, counseling, and media-based programs to address domestic violence against children.