Cyberspace Studies

Background: The nature of scholarly research has undergone a profound transformation in recent decades, transitioning from traditional, library-based inquiry to digitally mediated and increasingly AI-assisted methodologies. This article reflects on that evolution through an autoethnographic lens, drawing upon the author’s personal academic trajectory and long-standing engagement with satire. Aims: This article explores the evolving landscape of research, communication, and authorship in the digital age, with a particular focus on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence. Methodology: The study employs a reflective, autoethnographic methodology combined with AI-assisted literature synthesis. Drawing on personal academic experiences and outputs from ChatGPT and Claude, the author critically examines artificial intelligence’s role in communication research and satire. This qualitative approach blends narrative inquiry with theoretical analysis to explore the epistemological and ethical implications of AI in scholarly authorship. Discussion: Reflecting on a shift from traditional library-based scholarship to AI-assisted inquiry, the author critically examines how tools like ChatGPT and Claude reshape academic and journalistic practices. The manuscript considers the integration of AI across domains such as human communication, media, sentiment analysis, and translation, while addressing ethical concerns including privacy, authorship, and misinformation. Through both anecdotal reflection and synthesized research, the text interrogates the promises and pitfalls of AI in content generation, especially in the context of satire—a long-standing interest of the author. Conclusion: Drawing on personal experience and historical theories of satire from figures like Northrop Frye, Juvenal, and Linda Hutcheon, the article positions AI not just as a technological tool but as a cultural force influencing narrative forms and critical thought. While acknowledging AI's generative capabilities, the author emphasizes the enduring need for human discernment, intellectual ownership, and critical interpretation in both academic and creative contexts.

Background: Understanding color preference in virtual environments is crucial for applications in digital design, human-computer interaction, and virtual reality (VR).Aims: This study examines how luminance, hue, and saturation influence color preference in VR settings, considering both environmental and perceptual factors.Methodology: A controlled VR experiment was used, where participants interacted with two distinct virtual zones designed to simulate different lighting conditions.Finding: The findings suggest that chromatic lightness and perceived hue play distinct roles in color preference, with evidence supporting Weber's Law of illumination adaptation. It was also shown that regions with elevated chroma exhibit more pronounced colors. Additionally, the participants' average color preferences were determined, and the appropriate modification rate was extracted by comparing the preferred colors to the average colors of the virtual spaces. One significant finding was that, cooler colors were favored to warmer ones, which is consistent with previous research on color preferences. Furthermore, a correlation between lighting circumstances and color preferences was established.Conclusion: The findings indicated that adjusting the hue, saturation, and brightness can improve the design of virtual environments by matching the tastes of users. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of color perception in digital spaces and have implications for design, architecture, and cognitive science.

Background: With the rapid digital transformation across the African continent, ensuring the protection of personal data through effective regulatory frameworks is crucial. Key regulations, including Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and the African Union’s Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, have been enacted to address growing concerns about data privacy and cybersecurity.Aims: This literature review critically examines the impact of data privacy regulations on cybersecurity practices in Nigeria and across Africa, focusing on empirical studies that highlight the interplay between regulation enforcement and cybersecurity outcomes.Methodology: This review synthesizes empirical studies that explore the effectiveness of these regulations in improving cybersecurity practices in both public and private sectors.Results: Empirical research from Nigeria indicates that while the NDPR has led to some positive changes in organizational data protection strategies, challenges in enforcement, resource allocation, and awareness continue to hinder its full impact. Studies reveal that small to medium enterprises (SMEs) face difficulties in complying with the regulations due to a lack of capacity and knowledge. Similarly, research across several African countries shows a significant gap in both the implementation of data privacy laws and the cybersecurity measures required to mitigate emerging threats, such as ransomware and data breaches. Furthermore, empirical evidence highlights that varying levels of regulatory enforcement across the continent result in inconsistent cybersecurity practices, leading to vulnerabilities in the digital infrastructure. The review also explores empirical findings on the socio-economic and political barriers that affect the successful enforcement of data privacy regulations, with particular focus on limited technical expertise, political instability, and insufficient resources for regulatory bodies. Additionally, studies suggest that there is a growing need for cross-border collaboration and capacity building to bridge the regulatory gaps and improve overall cybersecurity resilience.Conclusion: Empirical evidence underscores the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and greater cooperation across African nations to enhance the protection of personal data and fortify cybersecurity practices across the region. Recommendations for future policy development are provided, based on the insights gained from existing empirical studies.

Background: The visual turn is one of the most important features of contemporary culture. Therefore, in climate change communication, images can play a crucial role in conveying environmental messages. Environmental advocates use the potential of visuals to deliver part of their messages to their audience. However, only a limited number of studies have focused on the visualization of climate change communication. Given the characteristics of social media, free from the constraints of mainstream media, they can serve as a suitable platform for visualizing climate change messages.Aims: Despite Iran's role in greenhouse gas emissions and the engagement of environmental activists, no research has been conducted on the role of images in conveying climate change messages on Iranian social media. Therefore, the main question of this research is: How do Iranian users on social media platform X frame climate change through images, and within what discourses?Methodology: To answer the question of the research, a combination of quantitative and qualitative visual discourse analysis was applied to 500 images in 2023.Findings: Studies on the visualization of climate change messages have predominantly focused on developed countries. The findings reveal that Iranian users have addressed climate change through four key discourses: scientific, political, ecological, and protest. Furthermore, the results show that visual discourses have been seen globally in Persian X and it has addressed the present tense and the framework of the consequences.Conclusion: In general, the public's attention to climate change in Iranian society reflects the dynamism of the environmental movement in Iran and the growth of environmental literacy among Iranian social media users.

Background: As companies are increasingly committed to sustainability practices in all their activities, they also have the increasing opportunity to communicate it to strengthen the brand through various means. One of them is undoubtedly represented by social media.Aims: This paper examines the communication of fashion sustainability through social media, and in particular its visual dimension, by undertaking a content analysis of over 600 Instagram photos of two Tunisian brands that are visibly exposed on the sustainability front.Methodology: Statistical analysis of this communication based on image, caption and hashtag is used to provide interesting insights into the elements that underlie effective online sustainability communication and, more specifically, on visual social media. Three theories are used to explain this topic namely Speech Act Theory, Color Theory, and Technology for Environmental Action Model (TPAM). Nine themes related to sustainability and fashion were extracted from the images of two sustainable brands “Shab Kids”, “Triiiza” and “Tommy Hilfiger” accompanied by their captions and hashtags.Finding: Our findings contribute significantly to understanding the elements used in visual communication of sustainable fashion brands on social media. For brand-generated content, we selected two eco-responsible Tunisian brands elected by “ileycom” (online marketplace) that declare themselves sustainable and are known in the fashion industry and among consumers for their orientation towards sustainable practices. Sustainable brands engage consumers in a conversation about sustainability, which can strengthen brand identity and create an emotional connection with the audience.Conclusion: It is essential for brands to communicate sustainability while taking full advantage of social media platforms like Instagram. Our study analyzed various communication elements on Instagram such as single image, multiple images, hashtags, and captions.

Background: Despite advancements in environmental policies and education, many individuals remain disconnected from nature, leading to ecological neglect and unsustainable behaviors. Aims: This study explores the institutionalization of environmental intelligence in education, emphasizing an Iranian perspective within the context of globalization. It argues for an educational paradigm that integrates traditional ecological wisdom with contemporary learning models, fostering a holistic, experiential, and culturally grounded approach. Methodology: Using literature synthesis and philosophical interpretation, this research draws on the spiritual and ethical teachings of Attar and Rumi alongside modern educational theories, including experiential, interdisciplinary, and quantum education. Discussion: The study examines how globalization and urbanization have reshaped traditional environmental perceptions, particularly in Iranian culture, where mountains once held deep ecological and cultural significance but have become overlooked in modern urban life. Additionally, it investigates the role of global communication and virtual education in shaping environmental consciousness. Rather than proposing a replacement for existing environmental education, this study introduces a complementary framework that blends Iranian philosophical heritage, contemporary pedagogy, and digital learning. By fostering spiritual, ethical, and ecological awareness, this paradigm encourages a collective, participatory approach to sustainability. Conclusions: It envisions an education system where cultural wisdom and modern innovation work together to cultivate deep, empathetic connections between people and the environment.

Aurhor: Neil ArcherTitle: The Social Network: Youth Film 2.0Year of Published: 2023130ppIn EnglishISBN: 978-0367753115Dimensions: 13.8 x 0.76 x 21.6 cmCountry of Origin: IndiaPacker: RoutledgeCinema and Youth Cultures series

Background: The airline industry is highly competitive and service-oriented, making it particularly vulnerable to customer dissatisfaction and brand hate. Brand hate, defined as intense negative emotions toward a brand, can lead to consumer retaliation, boycotts, and long-term reputational damage in airline context.Aims: This study explores effective strategies for managing brand hate in the airline industry.Methodology: Using a dual-method qualitative approach, we conduct (1) a netnographic analysis from the consumer perspective and (2) five semi-structured interviews with airline managers, analyzed using Lexico 3.Findings: Our findings identify five key strategies for mitigating brand hate. Consistent with prior literature, we confirm that management processes and brand recovery are valuable for addressing short-term customer complaints. Additionally, we propose novel long-term strategies, including benchmarking and competitive intelligence, workplace control, and enhanced security measures. In fact, by integrating insights from both customers and brands, this research deepens the understanding of hate management and highlights the severe repercussions of consumer attrition for airline companies.Conclusions: Our study emphasizes the need for proactive interventions and equips managers with actionable strategies to reduce brand hate, repair customer relationships in digital environments, and enrich the literature on crisis management and relationship between consumer and brand.

Background: Over the past few decades, the rapid expansion of cross-border e-commerce has reshaped global trade, acting as a key driver of economic transformation. As a crucial aspect of globalization, e-commerce has facilitated the integration of businesses into international markets, reducing geographical barriers and transaction costs while fostering economic development.Aims: The present study aims to examine e-commerce and its role in economic transformation from a business management perspective.Methodology: The research employs a descriptive survey method, with a statistical population comprising all students and graduates in the fields of e-commerce and business management in Bandar Abbas. Using a convenience sampling method, a total of 203 individuals were selected as the study sample. A researcher-developed questionnaire with a reliability coefficient exceeding 0.8 was distributed among the participants. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, specifically the T-test, through SPSS version 22.Findings: The findings revealed that the T-test statistic for the role of e-commerce in accelerating economic transactions was 73.7, its impact on inflation in the global economy was 54.9, and its contribution to facilitating transactions was 65.5, all statistically significant at a 95% confidence level (P<0.05).Conclusions: E-commerce plays a significant role in enhancing the speed of economic transactions, influencing inflation in the global economy, and facilitating trade from a business management perspective.

Background: A key claim and fundamental assumption of feminist thought is that many traits commonly perceived as female are not inherent or genetically determined, but are instead products of historical and social conditioning. This perspective argues that even in contemporary societies, persistent anti-female stereotypes limit women’s ability to fully exercise their rights. For instance, the historical exclusion of women from political life, potentially driven by male power dynamics, has fostered the misconception that women lack interest in political engagement.Aims: This research seeks to investigate this hypothesis: does Internet-based social networks help to increase women's political participation?Methodology: Employing a qualitative approach, this study synthesizes data from diverse sources– including case study of Clubhouse, and peer-reviewed academic literature– to explore to what extent are women interested in political action under free and equal conditions? To this end, we selected the Clubhouse platform. We then monitored and analyzed women’s behavior before and after a sensitive national political event, the 2021 (1400 AH) presidential election.Findings: The findings indicated that, contrary to our initial hypothesis, the Clubhouse platform’s open environment did not significantly enhance women’s political participation or stimulate greater interest in political topics. Women largely remained engaged with content related to entertainment, family life, cooking, and music.Conclusions: This viewpoint aligns with the tendency to view gender-related issues as stemming from inherent, natural differences rather than socio-historical constructs.

Background: Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed in 2015, limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The U.S. withdrew in 2018, but talks continue to revive the deal.Aim: This meta-analysis examines how academic research from 2017 to 2024 has analyzed the JCPOA through the lens of critical discourse studies, revealing the interplay of language, power, and identity in constructing meaning around the agreement.Methodology: This meta-analysis synthesizes 27 peer-reviewed studies (2017–2024) to examine the discursive construction of JCPOA through critical discourse analysis (CDA) frameworks.Discussion: The study reveals how competing narratives shaped the agreement’s trajectory, focusing on three key dimensions: (1) transatlantic policy divergences, where EU multilateralist discourses clashed with U.S. unilateralist "America First" rhetoric under Trump, exacerbating diplomatic rifts; (2) domestic Iranian narrative battles, where reformist and conservative factions framed the JCPOA as either pragmatic diplomacy or ideological betrayal, leveraging media and social media to delegitimize opponents; and (3) diplomatic communication strategies, where translational asymmetries and linguistic negotiation underscored the politicized nature of interstate dialogue.Conclusions: The study demonstrates how discourse not only reflected but actively produced geopolitical realities, generating new identities (e.g., Iran as "resistant"), policies (e.g., maximum pressure), and material outcomes (e.g., renewed uranium enrichment).

Background: In the digital age, the expansion of social media platforms has profoundly impacted various aspects of life, including family relationships.Aim: This article addresses the complex dynamics of family communication, particularly focusing on Iranian families. In this article, we study the perceptions of users and followers of family blogger pages regarding the representations of family life on Instagram.Methodology: Through interviews with users, we seek to understand their understanding of concepts such as love, intimacy, home, and marital relationships. To study how followers perceive and interpret family-oriented pages on Persian Instagram, approximately 29 qualitative interviews were conducted with three groups of respondents. These groups included users, informants, and family psychologists and counselors (couple therapists).Findings: The concept of family display helps us understand what practices are defined as "family practices" from the perspective of users and followers of family pages on Instagram. On the other hand, Hall’s theoretical model helps us understand the category of readings that users’ interpretations and perceptions of the family representation on these pages fall into. The findings reveal the evolving nature of family relationships in the digital age, particularly concerning Iranian families. The findings show that the readings of users following these pages are generally hegemonic and can be divided into three main axes: family rituals, marital relationship, and feminine power, each of which has its own sub-themes. In addition, some interviewees mentioned contrasting and negotiating perceptions.Conclusions: The results indicate that readings are complex processes shaped by the cultural contexts and lived experiences of the readers, leading to a combination of interpretations rather than a wholesale acceptance or rejection of media representations. Additionally, followers with preferred readings expressed dual emotions ranging from idealization and beautiful aspirations to feelings of alienation and dissatisfaction with their relationships.

Background: Social media platforms are increasingly used in healthcare to provide psychosocial support to cancer patients. Despite global enthusiasm, concerns about misinformation and emotional vulnerability persist. In Iran, cultural and regulatory contexts add complexity to this dynamic, necessitating a localized understanding of healthcare providers’ perspectives. Aims: This study aims to explore Iranian oncology nurses’ perceptions of the benefits and risks associated with hospitalized cancer patients' use of social media, and to identify factors influencing these perceptions. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 131 oncology nurses from various hospitals in Iran, primarily in Tehran. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing demographics, life satisfaction, personal social media use, and perceptions of social media's impact on patient morale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and path analysis. Results: Overall, nurses held a positive view of social media’s role in enhancing patient morale, with a mean perception score of 7.1/10. Younger nurses and those with junior professional ranks exhibited more favorable attitudes. Personal social media usage positively correlated with optimistic perceptions, while life satisfaction showed a weak but significant positive association. Path analysis indicated that daily social media usage and younger age were the strongest predictors of positive perceptions. Some nurses, however, expressed concerns about misinformation and patient vulnerability. Conclusions: The findings highlight the generally favorable yet nuanced attitudes of Iranian oncology nurses toward social media use by cancer patients. Efforts to enhance digital literacy among healthcare providers and culturally sensitive strategies are recommended to maximize social media’s psychosocial benefits while mitigating associated risks.