A survey of social media users in Saudi Arabia to explore the roles, motivations and expectations toward using social media for social and political purposes.

摘要

In Saudi Arabia, the use of social media has increased civic awareness and youth interest in public issues. Thus, this study was to explore the perception of social media and the role these tools play in the social lives and political environment in Saudi Arabia through diffusion of innovation theory and uses and gratifications theory. In April 2013, this research surveyed a sample of 1,361 Saudis about their use of social media for social and political purposes. As result, this study found that Saudis appeared to constantly use social media for political and social purposes with high motivation of information seeking. Respondents indicated social media platforms, especially Twitter, connect them with others on the basis of social issues and common political interests. They, however, do not use it to recruit people to take an action against the government even on issues that are personally important. Even with some pessimists, participants expect that social media will encourage social movements and help to improve the society and the government.