“Facebook” plays a positive role in changing the Arab world…and perhaps also a negative role Beirut, Lebanon (dpa) - The youth in the Arab world benefited from the advancements in communication technology and used the virtual world to shake some regimes and threaten others through public movements that relied mainly on campaigning through social networks, one of which is “Facebook”. These campaigns forced a new reality that is not totally clear yet. Some believe that these social networks including “Facebook” have played a major role in making these movements succeed. However, they still believe in the negative or illusory role of these social networks since some political groups can use them to influence the youth who lead these campaigns in order to divert the course of the political and social change. The Arab World since the start of this year has witnessed mass movements led by youth groups, or so called “Facebook Groups.” The youth are motivated by their strong belief and desire for change and affected by the current global culture, which stresses on democracy and freedom. Dr. NadimMansouri, professor of political sociology at the University of Lebanon, said to dpa that “Facebook” is the primary mover of these mass movements, but not its cause. According to him, “Facebook” facilitated the communication among activists because of its multiple features. Mansouri added that “Facebook” has succeeded in advancing the movements for a number of reasons. Primarily, “Facebook” helped in providing quick communication at less cost, this helped in transferring ideas and news quickly. “Facebook” also is a user-friendly network that can be used by different age groups especially the youth. In Egypt for example 90% of “Facebook” users are between the age of 13 and 34. Studies point out that the total users of “Facebook” in the
Arab world reached 78%, that is, from 11.9 million users by January 2010 to 21.3 million in December of the same year. The youth constitute 75% of “Facebook” of the users in the Arab world. Mansouri said that “Facebook” plays an important role because it is available all the time; it can be used from the mobile phones and not limited to computers. This makes “Facebook” available and able to transfer news of these movements instantly. Even traditional media including the television relied on it, which was unusual before. “Facebook” became important because it is international, some 600 million users log into “Facebook” from 213 different countries. This facilitates mobilization fast to a vast number of users around the world. “Facebook” can also be used as a central work unit to direct the activists electronically. “Facebook” also helps activists interact and comment on events outside the control of the political authorities. And “Facebook” helps the public communicate with their governments, official institutions and political parties. Mansouri added that “Facebook” can also be used in different ways such as posting images of real events or fabricated events. He said that there is no way to control this new media or what is now called the “fifth power.” According to him, “Facebook” changed media concepts. The danger of “Facebook” he pointed lays in its use by political parties as a means to affect the youth who are leading the change. This, he said, can divert the direction of change completely. He also believes that whoever has control over the virtual world will eventually have control over the real world. Some believe that the danger of “Facebook” lies in hacking and analyzing the data available on it to know the characteristics of people using it and the groups connecting to it, to know their weaknesses and put plans to control and manipulate them. Reports indicated that the number of social network users increased in the Arab World especially the ages between 15 and 29. The youth constitute one-third of the total population in the Arab World. Nadine Muhasib, a writer and one of the founders of the Lebanon Civil Association, said that the social networks including “Facebook” do not adhere to specific systems, manners or frameworks. Democracy dictates that everything is allowed on “Facebook”, therefore information provided is not objective and it can be categorized as chaotic, and here lies the danger. Muhasib also said that “Facebook” is the first media mean that bases its information on unidentified eyewitnesses, regardless of the accuracy of the information provided. Therefore, according to her, the role of “Facebook” is unreal and fabricated. Observers anticipate that social networks such as “Facebook” and “Twitter” among others will proceed in playing a major role in reshaping the social, civil and political scenes in the Arab world, with the hope that their effect remains positive. 59