Polarization in the arab world of the youths through social media Matar Soad* Assistant Professor, Communication and Media College at Al Ain University of Science and Technology-UAE *Corresponding Author: Soad Matar Assistant Professor Communication and Media College at Al Ain University of Science and Technology-UAE Email: dr.matar.s@gmail.com
Online published on 1 November, 2018. Abstract The study sheds light on the phenomenon of Polarization in the Arab World, whereby youths and adolescents are being recruited by radical groups, operating through social networks. There have been many recent examples of terrorist incidents that emphasize the seriousness of this phenomenon, taking place in many Arab and Western countries. The evidence confirmed that the young people who were caught in Clutches, inspired by intellectual radicals and terrorists, were subject of direct influence of individuals and groups promoting a culture of extremism through accounts on such social sites as Twitter, as well as YouTube and other forums that broadcast material of extremist nature. One of the reasons for the spread of this phenomenon is the increase of social media use among all age groups, yet the most affected and responsive categories are adolescents and young people. They are drawn by means of emotionally charged religious discourse urging them to break away from society, calls for the use of violence, and uphold symbols of extremism. The study is concerned with clarifying the importance of the role of the media due to its great impact on public opinion and communities, as well as providing guidance to young people, and drawing the attention of officials and decision makers. The study also emphasizes the need to observe and analyze the thinking patterns promoted by of the extremist ideology, detect the strategies used for advertising, in order to have access to how to confront this thought, so as to protect Arab youths. Top Keywords Role and Influence of Media-Social networks, Extremism thoughts, Awareness, Polarization. Top |