Background and Objective

The governance of social media has become a complex challenge for governments worldwide. In the Iranian context, these platforms serve a dual function: they are simultaneously tools for civic participation and transparency, and perceived as conduits for national security and cultural threats. This dichotomy has created significant policy ambiguity. This research aims to comprehensively identify and analyze the key drivers and factors influencing the future of social media governance in Iran, with an emphasis on the principles of transparency and accountability.

Methodology

This study employs a qualitative, meta-synthesis approach. Findings from systematically selected Persian and English academic articles were integrated and analyzed using the seven-stage Sandelowski and Barroso model. To ensure scientific rigor, the research adhered to the four criteria proposed by Lincoln and Guba: credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.

Findings

The primary drivers shaping the future of social media governance in Iran can be classified into four main categories: 1) Political and Governmental (including the state's macro-approach and national security considerations), 2) Socio-Cultural (including public demands and media literacy), 3) Economic (including media ownership), and 4) Technological (including infrastructure development). The analysis reveals a key uncertainty between two strategic approaches: "Open Governance" (based on transparency) and "Control-Oriented Governance" (based on security). Critically, public trust was identified as a foundational driver that directly influences the strategic choice between these two paradigms.

Conclusion

The future of social media governance in Iran is not technologically deterministic but is rather the product of a complex interaction between public trust, the state's strategic choices, and other contextual drivers. This research provides a comprehensive map of the forces shaping this domain, offering a foundation for informed policymaking. Rebuilding trust through a genuine commitment to transparency and accountability is the key to achieving sustainable and effective governance.