Introduction
Notably, the recent past has experienced an immense growth in the use of social media platforms across various parts of the world. The Middle East occurs as one of the contexts around the globe that have been impacted in a significant way by the development and growth of social media (Howard & Hussain 18). Data from researches carried out in the recent past indicate that the commonly utilized social media platforms in the Middles East are Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Nonetheless, the use of these media platforms varies across different countries in the Middle East. Precisely, Facebook seems to have penetrated the Middle Eastern countries than any other social media platform. While much has been hypothesized regarding the various impacts of social media amongst different population segments, the influence that social media has had on the Middle East is unique.
Discussion
Social media has influenced change in the Middle East
As previously mentioned herein, the growth of social media has impacted on the Middle East in a number of ways. More importantly, the evolution of social media across various Middle Eastern countries has made people from these countries yarn for change with regard to their ways of life. Precisely, social media platforms have played a comprehensive role in influencing change (Stewart 10), whereby people have become more empowered than they were before. Worth noting is the fact that social media platforms have provided an avenue in which the people of the Middle East can share ideas pertaining issues that affect them on a daily basis. Through such sharing of ideas, the people of the Middle East have become more tolerant despite their ideological differences. Overall, social media has influenced change in the Middle East in that it has empowered them to become more open and tolerate differing points of views held by people of varying ethnic and religious origins.
Social media has enhanced democracy in the Middle East
On another note social media has had an impact on the Middle East in that it has evolved into a voice for the people of the Middle East. Precisely, people across the Middle East have utilized social media platforms to air their concerns, particularly on issues regarding governance. Certainly, this has enhanced democracy for the people of the Middle East, who in the past have fallen victims of dictatorial regimes. In fact, social media platforms, especially Facebook, and Twitter have contributed to the toppling of regimes that did not address issues jeopardizing the daily lives of people from the Middle East (Nabi & Mary 24). Evidently, new technological innovations and social media platforms have made big contributions in assuring the success of different uprising in the Middles East. Many at times, these uprising seek to enhance democracy for the people of the Middle East. This analysis justifies the impact aligned with enhancing democracy that social media platforms have had on the Middle Eastern populations.
Social media has influenced gender roles in the Middle East
Another notable impact that social media has had on the Middle East aligns with the fact that it has resulted in a slight change in gender roles. Notably, populations emanating from the Middle East are conservative in nature. This can be accredited to the fascinating admiration they have on their Islam religion, which divides roles basing on gender issues. However, social media platforms have instilled liberal views on these populations and this has resulted in a change of gender roles. Precisely, social media platforms have enlightened people from the Middle East, particularly women. Such enlighten has resulted in the provision of more opportunities for women. This is contrary to the past whereby women were often oppressed and given discriminatory roles. In addition, social media has enlightened Middle Eastern women to become agents of change in their communities. This has resulted in provision of more leadership opportunities for women (Sakr 20), contrary to the past whereby women were not allocated such roles.
Economic impact of social media growth in the Middles East
Certainly, the growth of social media offers immense opportunities for the growth of businesses across various contexts. Precisely, social media platforms provide viable avenues that enhance marketing of different business ventures. This results in an increase in business revenue, which results in a consequent rise in the economy. With regards to this, different countries in the Middle East have benefited immensely due to the growth of social media platforms. In fact, the economies of different Middle Eastern countries such as United Arab Emirates have grown due to the fact that various institutions running businesses in these countries have and continue to utilize social media platforms to enhance their employee prospects and boost their skill sets (Noor & John 82). Overall social media has impacted the economy of Middles Eastern countries in that it has offered support for various businesses; hence, increasing business profits, which end up supporting the economic growth of these countries.
Conclusion
Wok Cited
Howard, Philip and Hussain, Muzammil. Democracy’s Fourth Wave: Digital Media and Arab Spring. London: Oxford University Press, 2013. Print.
Nabi, Robin L, and Mary B. Oliver. The Sage Handbook of Media Processes and Effects. Los Angeles: SAGE, 2009. Print.
Noor, Al-Deen H. S, and John A. Hendricks. Social Media: Usage and Impact. Lanham, Md: Lexington Books, 2012. Print.
Sakr, Naomi. Women and Media in the Middle East: Power Through Self-Expression. London [u.a.: Tauris, 2004. Print.
Stewart, Dona. The Middle East today: Political, Geographical and Cultural Perspectives. Sydney: Routledge, 2012. Print.
