Family Alienation Caused by Social Media in Adolescents from the Parents' Point of View in Makkah: Field Study

Abstract

The study aimed to find out the level of family alienation caused by Social Media from the Parents' Point of View, and to reveal its impact on the behaviors of a sample of (134) teenager students of the community in Mecca. It also aimed to identify the differences between the average levels of family alienation among social media users depending on the gender variable. The explanatory sequential design approach was followed and analysis was done using the researcher own scale of family alienation (2020). The most notable findings is , the level of family alienation in teenagers was achieved to a lower than average degree with a statistically significant differences between the average degrees of social isolation depending on the gender variable in favor of females. The reflection of social networks on social participation in teenagers has decreased in rates of family interaction and social circle as well having a negative impact on their behaviors from the parent’s point of view. Based on this study, the researcher reached several recommendations, including educating families through the holding of guidance programs to urge them to care for their children and participate in constructive family dialogue, reducing their use of social media.