Social Media and Its Impact on Arab Youth Identity

Abstract

Through the analysis of influences from social networking sites surrounding the revolts of the Arab Spring, this paper seeks to evaluate about how the identity of Middle Eastern youth has been shaped by social media, and what future impact it could have on Middle Eastern social and political spheres. This paper relies on two key theories of the development of identity and self-perception - Social Cognitive Theory by Albert Bandura (1986) and Social Comparison theory by Festinger (1954). The paper shall try to make some unique contribution towards understanding the role that social media plays in transforming Arab youth identity, and its socio-political impact.