YOUTH AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN GCC CHANGING TRENDS IN COMMUNICATION, SOCIAL PARTICIPATION AND IDENTITY

Abstract

Social Media has revolutionized the communications and connected people across continents; its effects are seen worldwide. In Middle East, societies have been transformed through the influence of social media platforms and new trends in social participation, identity making and communication. The Gulf States have witnessed high usage of social media amongst its youth. The Middle East and Gulf have the highest population of youth in the world and one of the highest rates of social media usage. The combination of the two has translated in to new realities for the region. Social media has become a tool for progress, social participation and overcoming traditional boundaries placed on communication and information sharing

Keywords

• Social Media, Youth, Gulf, Qatar, Identity, Twitter

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