Interdisciplinary Studies in Media and Culture

Abstract Abstract
The communication technology revolution has brought profound changes to human lifestyles, work, and communication. Instagram, by altering the traditional production chain and implementing digital governance, have had significant social and political impacts, weakening the power of national governments and cultural identities. This study examines how Instagram influences social, cultural, and governance structures of governments, as well as promotes the goals of the 2030 agenda. The research utilizes a descriptive-analytical method and draws on various sources, including official Meta and Instagram documents.
The framework of the study indicates that internet platforms, in competition with governments and companies, aim to disrupt the competitive value chain. instagram change the production structure, which markets have created based on the power of modern governments. By creating producer and consumer counterparts and establishing new governance practices, they reduce the power of governments and form new production chains. In this regard, Instagram, by breaking the competitive value chain previously controlled by governments, has been able to impose its own norms and policies on users. The findings suggest that these policies align with the implementation of the 2030 agenda, creating significant challenges for national governments and cultural identities, which require precise responses and policymaking to preserve these elements.
Keywords: Social Changes, Platform, Instagram, 2030 Agenda, Production Chain

Introduction
The rapid evolution of communication technologies has led to profound transformations in the ways humans live, work, and communicate. Among these technological advancements, social media platforms such as Instagram have played a significant role. Instagram has transformed traditional methods of production and communication, utilizing digital governance to influence various social, cultural, and political structures. It is apparent that platforms like Instagram have reduced the authority of national governments, altered cultural identities, and introduced new social norms. This study aims to explore how Instagram affects governance structures, societal values, and cultural practices while promoting the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda, which focuses on achieving sustainability through collective global action, is being influenced significantly by digital platforms like Instagram, and the study investigates how these platforms align with the agenda's goals.
The core problem that this research addresses is the increasing power of global digital platforms, particularly Instagram, and their ability to override national regulations and cultural norms. The study seeks to answer the following questions: How does Instagram use its global reach and technological capabilities to influence and promote the goals of the 2030 Agenda? How does Instagram impact the governance structures of national governments and affect the identity of cultures? In addition, the study considers how national governments respond to the challenges posed by Instagram and similar platforms in relation to digital governance, regulation, and cultural preservation.
This paper draws from a wide range of literature across various disciplines, including communications, sociology, political science, and economics, to understand the role of Instagram in the 2030 Agenda's implementation. Previous studies have highlighted the significant influence of social media platforms in shaping public discourse, affecting cultural and social practices, and aligning with global policies. For example, several studies have demonstrated how social media platforms, especially Instagram, have contributed to global educational goals by enabling faster, wider dissemination of information, particularly regarding sustainability issues. Studies such as those by Rajabi et al. (2020) and Leaver et al. (2020) explore Instagram’s potential in fostering global cultural norms aligned with the 2030 Agenda, particularly around issues like gender equality, environmental protection, and social justice.
However, there is a gap in the literature regarding the specific mechanisms through which Instagram directly enforces the 2030 Agenda's goals. While some research has focused on the positive impacts of social media platforms, there has been less attention on how these platforms can challenge national cultural and legal structures. This study aims to bridge this gap by analyzing how Instagram, as a platform owned by Meta, interacts with global governance frameworks like the 2030 Agenda and imposes its own norms.

Materials and Methods

The study employs a descriptive-analytical approach, which is particularly suited to understanding the complex interactions between digital platforms and the 2030 Agenda. The methodology combines qualitative data analysis from official sources such as Meta’s published reports, Instagram's community guidelines, and other relevant documents. The study also draws from case studies of Instagram’s involvement in global governance issues, such as its role in promoting gender equality and environmental sustainability. The data collection includes secondary sources, such as official documents and reports from international organizations like the United Nations, to examine how Instagram aligns its policies with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda.
The research focuses on several key elements of Instagram’s operations: (1) the platform’s role in disrupting traditional production and consumption chains, (2) the application of Instagram’s digital governance practices that align with the goals of the 2030 Agenda, (3) the platform’s impact on national sovereignty and cultural identity, and (4) the challenges and responses from governments to these changes.

Discussion & Result

Instagram, with over 2.35 billion active users globally, represents a major force in reshaping not only the digital economy but also the global cultural landscape. One of the primary findings of this research is Instagram’s ability to break down traditional value chains. By creating a direct connection between producers and consumers, Instagram has reduced the role of intermediaries and empowered users to create and distribute content without the need for traditional media outlets. This shift has diminished the power of governments, which have traditionally regulated and controlled the production and distribution of cultural and economic goods.
Another key finding is that Instagram enforces a set of global norms that align with the 2030 Agenda's objectives. These norms include promoting gender equality, environmental sustainability, and social justice, all of which are key components of the 2030 Agenda. Instagram's policies on removing harmful content, addressing hate speech, and ensuring the security of marginalized groups align with the values outlined in the 2030 Agenda. Furthermore, Instagram's role in facilitating global movements, such as #MeToo and climate change awareness, has demonstrated its capacity to shape public discourse in ways that align with global sustainability goals.
However, this research also highlights significant challenges for national governments and cultural identities. Instagram’s global governance model, which allows it to impose its norms across borders, often conflicts with national laws and cultural practices. The study provides examples of instances where Instagram has taken actions that challenge local regulations. For instance, Instagram’s content moderation policies, which remove or restrict content related to political protests or cultural topics, have clashed with national sovereignty. Furthermore, the platform’s policies on gender identity and LGBTQ+ rights sometimes conflict with conservative cultural practices in certain countries. These examples underscore the tension between global digital governance and national cultural preservation.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that Instagram has become a powerful actor in global governance, often challenging national governments’ authority in areas related to cultural identity and social norms. By leveraging its digital platform, Instagram has the ability to shape public opinion, create new economic models, and promote the goals of the 2030 Agenda. However, the research also reveals that these transformations pose significant challenges for traditional forms of governance and cultural preservation.
One of the central conclusions of this study is that digital platforms like Instagram have introduced a new form of governance—network governance—that operates beyond traditional state borders. Instagram’s policies and actions are increasingly aligned with global norms, such as those outlined in the 2030 Agenda. This shift presents both opportunities and challenges for national governments, which must adapt to the changing landscape of digital governance. The research concludes by emphasizing the need for governments to develop new strategies for regulating digital platforms like Instagram and for ensuring that local cultural identities and national laws are not undermined in the process.
In terms of policy recommendations, the study suggests that governments need to work collaboratively with global platforms like Instagram to create frameworks that promote both global sustainability goals and respect for local cultural practices. Additionally, there is a need for greater transparency in the decision-making processes of platforms like Instagram to ensure that their actions align with the interests of all stakeholders, including national governments, local communities, and users.

Abstract This study investigates the role of lived experience podcasts in transforming the public sphere in Iran through a qualitative case study of the Persian podcast Radio Marz. As one of the most influential audio-based digital platforms, Radio Marz provides a space where marginalized voices and personal narratives become subjects of public discussion. Drawing upon Habermas's theory of the public sphere and communicative action, the study examines how lived experiences narrated through podcasts contribute to expanding public dialogue, challenging social taboos, and creating new forms of networked public participation. Using thematic analysis, twenty-five selected episodes were analyzed to identify the dominant social and cultural themes embedded within the narratives. The findings indicate that lived experience podcasts function as alternative communicative arenas that increase social awareness, reconstruct collective identities, stimulate critical reflection, and facilitate the formation of online communities. Consequently, podcasts not only enrich digital public discourse but also contribute to the structural transformation of the traditional public sphere in contemporary Iranian society.

Abstract Leaving home for Jihad? Disguising dystopia & Selling it as utopia is what ISIS does with its recruits (especially young Europeans). By sticking to extreme ideological thoughts or claiming no ideology, this dystopia remains ruined forever. This article has been trying to answer some -easy yet difficult to imitate- questions: How is it possible to recruit a young educated Western Citizen to fight for an old outdated Eastern ideological battle? Who are the European youths willing to engage in radicalization? Why is this triangle (Sex, Violence, Religion) so favorite in times beyond compare? Is it only for the sake of Utilitarianism? What’s the percentage of The female jihadists of Europe and the male ones? What are the main Driving factors behind foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq? Fortunately, there are good pieces of puzzle here and there all around the world about this topic. European countries have been feeling the necessity to analyze not the terrorists but the ways they persuade recruits (by studying Intercultural conflict management, Intercultural moral judgement and so on.). The very Persuasion Process happens by using, misusing, disusing or abusing Mass Media. That’s why Media managers should be aware of the outcome more than others.

Abstract Information technology was able to change all the ways and methods of transforms, exchange, save and management of information. Nowadays, the newest communication technologies have changed the social changes so fast and deep that even the most stable part of human's life which is the culture could not resist and had changed. The mankind has faced serious cultural changes because of the increase in the speed of cultural transfer. Hence, figuring such a landscape in IT area could be positive changes based on cultural favorable solutions.
In this article, we are defining culture and IT accompanied with a study on their properties. A study has done, on the relation between culture and IT based on the newest communication technologies (the most important one is Internet).
The writer has discussed different viewpoints about Internet and its function and the influence and has shown all disadvantages and damages of this newest technology beside its advantages and capabilities.
At last the influence of internet on religious values is shown and studied.

Abstract The modern and intermediary science of media philosophy has been considered in countries like Germany and USA by philosophers, sociologists and media researchers since somewhat 10 years ago. The idea that this science has naturally arisen out of other scientific branches or it is a composition of several sciences in order to satisfy some expectations requires another research. Like many other similar sciences, and because of collapsing the limitations of a science in the modern science, the identity, the nature, the method and the scope of issues of this science are completely vague and also are very numerous. Though maybe it seems very soon to speak about reorganizing a young science like the modern science, this article, nevertheless, tries to answer the question mentioned in the title, hopping to be useful in removing some ambiguities.  

Abstract Mass Communication Media are information highways which roles in culture and identity have recently interested social science scholars. In this regard, different conceptual frameworks have been of offered.
Snowball communication is an idea that emphasizes the formation of identities through Mass media. On the contrary, some scholars emphasize information analysis. Still others emphasize a more balanced approach and point out the contradictory and dual role of mass media in both forming and eroding national identity. The purpose of the present article is to explore the level and content of TV programs, satellite channels, and internet sites on national identity of the citizens and their variables. The population of the study was the residents of Kashan, a traditional city that has recently begun movement toward modernity.
The study is a survey work in which data have been collected through questionnaires and interviews. A 10-item Likert- scale questionnaire provided data on the main variable. The cronbach’s alpha reliability was 0.84. Results indicated significant positive correlation between TV use and tendencies toward national identity (Tb= 0.252). However, the relationship was negative for the use of satellite channels and the internet (TC= -0.271 and -0.199). Chi-square analysis also confirmed the data. Regression analysis (β= 0.268 and -0.276) also reflects the positive effects of TV and the negative effects of Satellites on national identity.

Abstract This article studies the mobile phone effects on interpersonal communications of youths (through surveying students of Tehran universities). In fact, this study specifies whether the depth and width of interpersonal communications have been changed through mobile phone or not?
This research has considered mobile phone communications of 387 students of state universities in Tehran through measurement methods.
After gathering and examining data, it was found that personal characteristics of mobile phone owners have no effects on depths and width of interpersonal communications.
But their recognition of modern technologies (IT literacy) has little effect on their usage of mobile phone. The results also showed that the mobile phone use has had effects (although little) on depths and width of interpersonal relationships. Of course, this effect was observed in students who had mobile-mediated communications in addition to face to face communications.

Abstract As Mass Media is expanding nationally and internationally and affects the cultural foundations of the society, the common elements of the various cultures, through such contact and relation of the cultures, are mixing with each other.
The important change about culture is the mutual understanding of the cultures, with no tendency to remove one. In this respect, the cultural democracy emphasizes on the principle that the dependency of an individual to a culture is one of the basic human needs and every individual, group, and community possesses the right to be appointed to (a) culture(s).
This article, posing the question about the components of cultural democracy, identifies the mutual relationship between media and culture. Respecting others’ values and moving towards an international society with concord and harmony, depends on the removal of the restrictions of intercultural relations, not the removal of the cultures. Media is considered as on effective foundation in the culture of the societies and functions within cultures. The result of such relation and bond is the mutual connection between Media and culture. The revolution of information, and accordingly the (phenomenon of) globalization of Media make a turning point in developing political, economical and cultural cooperation between different societies. 

Abstract This study investigates the relationship between Internet addiction and mental health of the BA and MA students in the Faculty of Management and Accounting at Allameh Tabataba’i University. To answer this question, the existing literature in the fields of behavior and the media is investigated and three hypotheses are suggested for examining the relationship between mental health, Internet addiction, gender and level of education of the students. In this descriptive–correlation study, the statistical population consists of all the BA and MA students of the said faculty which amount to 3600 persons. Moreover, the sample is 368 persons selected based on the Morgan formula systematic random sampling. Theoretical and field studies are used for data collection and the measurement tools in clued the Young’s Internet Addiction Test and General Health Questionnaire. The results of this study show that there is no significant relationship between Internet addiction and gender, but there is a positive significant relationship between Internet addiction and educational level. Moreover, there is a significant relationship between mental health and gender, but there is no significant relationship between mental health and educational level.