The role of social media in the Arab Spring uprisings

Abstract

This Research seeks to answer several questions as follows: Did social media play a key role in the Arab Spring uprisings? The significance of the research is linked to the novelty of the topic which is globally yet debatable. Few serious issues are taken into consideration in this research including; social media, new technology and the nature of its role in the Arab uprisings. Social media tools were a good medium of electronic communication among protesters in MENA region. Furthermore, it was a vital medium for spreading information such as photos, videos and documents about the revolution for national, regional and international spheres. This research seeks to find out about the link and impact of social media on the Arab Uprisings. Based on controversial scholars’ arguments, this study appeals that social media can have both positive and negative influences on the ‘Arab uprisings’