Young adults, new media, leisure and change in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper outlines how satellite television, the internet and cell phones have entered then spread within Saudi Arabia. We identify the short-term and discuss likely longer term outcomes in a country where, up to now, out-of-home leisure has been unusually restricted and which remains an absolute monarchy. Previous research into young people’s uses of the new media is reviewed, followed by the results of our own investigations into young Saudis’ uses of Twitter, YouTube and religious websites in 2015. We then use our findings from interviews with 23 young Saudi adults to add fine detail to what is known about uses and users of the new media. It is argued that although there has been no change up to now, the new media are very likely to be involved in the spread of support for further liberalization of uses of free time. We note that there has already been a seismic shift in Saudi political culture, which, as power passes to a new generation of young royals and government ministers, all in the context of the country’s need to rebalance its economy, make liberalization of out-of-home free time uses increasingly likely.