The Arab Youth: Empowered by Technology Infused with Tradition

1774 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Social Media impact on Arab youth

The Middle East has always been a region which has frequently appeared in global news and media for various reasons. Despite all the attention directed towards the region, there has always been a sector of the population which has been left unaddressed most of the time. This sector which I talk about is the Arab youth. For a long time, the Arab region and its politics have been closely related to its traditions and its past, with many leaders maintaining their power for several decades. Due to this social structure, the youth of these countries have been given little amount of attention and say in the way their countries are run. However, in light of the recent events that have occurred across the region, it is evident that the youth have had enough of this oppression and that now it is their turn to take control. The question that has popped up in the minds of millions across the world is “what might have caused these sudden uprisings?” A part of the answer to that question can be attributed to technology. Specifically, it is the social media structure of the internet and television which has acted as a catalyst and empowered the Arab youth, not only to revolt against their oppressors, but to rediscover their identity in times of strife and hardships.

In the past, the spread of the internet and related technologies had been relatively slow in the Middle East. In fact, one of the first countries in the region to make internet commercially available to the public, Kuwait only started doing this in 1992 (Wheeler,2006, p.38). The primary factors for this problem included dictatorships trying to avoid new avenues for free speech and the distrust of “western” technology by most people in the region. Whenever an argument is made agains...

... middle of paper ...

...anuary). Egypt cuts internet to disrupt protests. FT.com. Retrieved May

22, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 2253125111).

Egypt supporters rally worldwide. (2011, January 28). Al Jazeera English. Retrieved on June 02,

2011, from http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/01/201112815843772129.html

Jordan Opens Registration to its Arabic Domain name. (2011, November 23). Arab Crunch.

Retrieved June 01, 2011, from http://arabcrunch.com/2010/11/jordan-opens-registration-to-its-arabic-domain-name.html

Schneider, C. (2009, July). Cynthia Schneider: The surprising spread of "Idol" TV [Video File].

Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/cynthia_schneider_the_surprising_spread_of_idol_tv.html

Wheeler, D. L. (2006). The Internet in the Middle East. (T. M. Harrison & T. Stephen, Eds.).

Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

Show More
Related

  • Why was the Arab World Poised for Revolution?

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    The authoritarian regimes of the Middles cycled through a pattern of anti-western policy until the globalization effects of economics and information demanded reform. As conservative Arab states try to maintain the autocracy they relied on after gaining independence, their citizens, affected by information and education expansion, challenge their resistant governments as typified by Syria’s unwillingness to capitulate. The proliferation of information and education underscored the protest movements of the Arab Spring because citizens’ contempt for their obstinate governments grew to large under economic pressures, as the current situation in Syria demonstrates.

    Read More

  • Spring Awakening Analysis

    503 Words  | 2 Pages

    The article named “spring awakening” wrote by Jose Vargas describes the impact of social media in converting the mentality of young Egyptian generations into bold and defend their inalienable rights as a citizen. This article justifies how social media can mobilize a tremendous number of people to stand up for their rights. The reasons that inspire my emotion is emerging of “Wael Ghonim” as a legendary vocal figure of action for change, revelation of social media as earthquake for change, and fundamental soci-political change.

    Read More

  • Annotated Bibliography Should A Person's Freedom Of Speech Be Limited In Any Way?

    1153 Words  | 3 Pages

    The author is this article is Kalev Leetaru, he is known as an American internet entrepreneur and academic. He is also a contributor to Foreign Policy, where he discusses current political events worldwide. He was appointed adjunct assistant professor at Georgetown university which is ranked #6 internationally and is an extremely well respected university in Washington DC.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Digital Disconnect

    1560 Words  | 4 Pages

    As this critical juncture begins to take place, there has been much debate between scholars as to whether we should be enthusiastic or wary of these new changes. In Digital Disconnect and in his lectures, McChesney observes both views in an attempt to advance the discussion. On one side, the celebrants are embracing the Internet as a medium that will change society for the better. In Digital Disconnect, McChesney says, “In sum, the celebrants reaffirm one of the most important original arguments from the 1990s, that the Internet will be a force for democracy and good worldwide, ending monopolies of information and centralized control over communication” (McChesney 8). In my opinion, this celebrant view should only be regarded as a best-case scenario because of the unexpected obstacles for society that can...

    Read More

  • The Arab Spring Revolution is a Failure

    1293 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 2010 the Middle East experienced a disturbing series of protests and riots against the government. The term Arab Spring was coined as an allusion for the 1848 revolutions that rocked the Arab world. This devastating revolution saw its inception in a chain of small scale protests for the democratization of the Arabian governments. With its start in Egypt and Tunisia it has not failed in affecting every Arab country from Libya, Sudan and Morocco in the West to Yemen and Saudi Arabia in the East. A branch of the same revolution has successfully managed to become the cause for a civil war outbreak in Syria and even stretched its influence outside the Arab world to affect Iran and Mali.

    Read More

  • The Impact of Social Media in the Arab Spring Uprisings

    2022 Words  | 5 Pages

    Howard, P. N., & Hussain, M. M. (2011). The role of digital media. Journal of Democracy, 22(3), 35-

    Read More

  • Essay on Internet Privacy - Ethical Issues Raised by Privacy Service Providers

    2877 Words  | 6 Pages

    The 20 Enemies of the Internet.  1999.  Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty.  Feb 20, 2001.  <http://www.rferl.org/nca/special/enemies.html>.

    Read More

  • Syria and the Arab Spring

    1606 Words  | 4 Pages

    As the Arab Spring enters its second year, major uprisings and revolts have occurred all over the Middle East, pushing for an end to the corrupt autocratic rule and an expansion of civil liberties and political rights. Most recently, images from Syria have emerged, depicting the government’s use of force to suppress the voice of its people. One might ask, “Is this the beginning of a revolution? Is the country on the path to democracy?” To assess this question and examine the future trends in the region, one must look back on the country’s somewhat tumultuous history, the relationship between the citizens and the state, and the political economy.

    Read More

  • Marshall Mcluhan's The Medium Is The Massage

    1474 Words  | 3 Pages

    However, books and newspapers are not our sole source of the written word. Online blogs, articles, and newsletters now exist. Television and books have merged into one: the Internet. Revolutions, riots, and rebellions don’t just happen in our living rooms now, they happen on the go with us. On the subway, when we’re waiting in line at Subway, at our friend’s house as he talks about how he’s “way into subs.”

    Read More

  • Is the Internet a New Medium?

    1109 Words  | 3 Pages

    Internet as a medium has been a thoroughly discussed topic, especially in recent years with the rise of the World Wide Web. Analysis of relevant literature in the topic shows that the internet is not a new medium. This argument can be shown by looking more in depth into what defines a medium and what defines the internet. From that analysis by looking from a historical point of view the internet can be seen as an old medium which uses re-mediation to deliver content to users. The connection between internet and its users has helped the internet influence the way media is viewed today. Although the internet is not a new medium the content it presents is new. The advances in technology have helped the use of the internet reach new heights in terms of interest and it's capabilities are now being utilised by the masses. This rise in popularity has given the implication that the internet is new. These points can be analysed in more depth which has led me to take the stance that the internet is not a new medium.

    Read More

  • Overview of the Arab Culture

    1674 Words  | 4 Pages

    Arab is not a race, but is a group of individuals that are united by their culture and history (ADC, 2014). There are many different variations commonly based on a particular individual’s country of origin such as Arab Americans. Other variations are based on their social class, the level of their education, if they live urbanely or rurally, or the time they have spent in the United States (Lipson & Dubble, 2007). Most Arabs also practice Islamic religion and are Muslim. When working with an Arab or Muslim client, nurses should ask what the client wishes to be referred to so as not to offend them in any way (Lipson & Dubble, 2007).

    Read More

  • Social Media and Arab Spring

    1138 Words  | 3 Pages

    The. Arab Social Media Report -. 1(1), p. 3 (ed.). [online] Available at: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/dsg/unpan044212.pdf. [Accessed: 2 May, 2014.] Aday, S. et al. 2012.

    Read More

  • Information and Communication Technology in Saudi Arabia

    1933 Words  | 4 Pages

    The adoption and use of internet in Saudi Arabia has been on the rise. Compared to most un...

    Read More

  • Technology and Today's Youth

    2334 Words  | 5 Pages

    Technology affects everyone! Whether positive or negative, we are all affected, how it manifests itself into problems for youth will be studied and debated for years. Balancing technology throughout the educational process and keeping with current trends and uses of technology will affect everyone. Technology has transformed our youth’s daily and social lives. How do we measure the effects of technology on our ability to socialize or have a successful social life? Socializing is not just talking face to face, it’s our ability to interact, learn, and create original thought. Technology hindering today’s youth and their ability to socialize is affecting their capacity to read, write, and communicate. Today’s youth depends on careful considerations for the implementation of technologies. Our youth do not have the capability to convey their emotions through the use of technology, understand sadness, happiness or joy through simple text or emails. Communicating through the use of text, chat, and social network sites is lost using abbreviations and slang, inhibiting the use of the Standard English language. Using computers and hand held devices for relationships, reading, writing, and entertainment, turning them into introverted and socially inept individuals. Current trends resonating from our educational institutions to our workplace can be examples of how technology has altered the way younger people communicate. This tragedy transcends from youth to adulthood affecting the workplace. Social networking sites have begun to take hours away from employers. How do students understand ethical and moral dilemmas unless they are allowed to make mistakes and work through a particular problem? Creative and original thought needs...

    Read More

  • The Impact of the Internet on Society

    1597 Words  | 4 Pages

    Boepple, Paul. "Internet." The New Book of Knowledge. 34th ed. 20 vols. Chicago: Grolier Inc., 2000.

    Read More

More about The Arab Youth: Empowered by Technology Infused with Tradition

Open Document