Abstract
New media (including online and cellular technologies) are being embraced around the world, and younger people have led the way in their adoption. These technologies have spread particularly quickly in the Middle East as a result of innovations in satellite, cellular, and Internet technology. In addition, the Arab Spring was a major milestone for new media adoption in the Middle East and helped define appropriate uses for these technologies. Although they have been used for activism and expression, evidence suggests that these are not (or perhaps are no longer) the primary uses of these technologies among young Arabs. Drawing on the concept of mediatization in an analysis of surveys of American and Arab young people, this study explores cultural influences in recent online and cellular technology use in the Arab world, as well as cultural consequences of the increasing adoption of these technologies. In particular, it identifies and explores similarities and differences among the two groups regarding ownership of devices, online and cellular activities, and frequency of these activities. Findings reiterate the prominence of new media in the Arab world and suggest a continuing influence of traditional values, as well as an increasing influence of Western culture.
Highlights
IntroductionNew media (including online and cellular technologies) are being embraced around the world, and younger people have led the way in their adoption
New media are being embraced around the world, and younger people have led the way in their adoption
About 88 percent of U.S adults own a cell phone, and those ages 18-29 are the most likely to use their cell phone to access the Internet as well as the most likely to own a smart phone (Zickuhr & Smith, 2012). When it comes to social media, about 69 percent of U.S Internet users use those services, including about 92 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds (Rainie, Smith, Schlozman, Brady, & Verba, 2012)
Summary
New media (including online and cellular technologies) are being embraced around the world, and younger people have led the way in their adoption. These technologies have spread quickly in the Middle East as a result of innovations in satellite, cellular, and Internet technology. The Pew Research Center (2011) examined digital communication within 21 nations, finding similar levels of Internet, cell phone, and social media use in the five Western nations that were included in the study (Britain, France, Germany, Spain, and the United States). With increasing access to Internet and cell phones, a growing number of Middle East residents use social media services (Pew Research Center, 2011; Salem & Mourtada, 2012). Findings could have important implications for other non-Western cultures
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
