Social media networks as platforms for culture and identity interplay among Qatari youth | Intellect Skip to content
1981
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research
  4. Volume 15, Issue 2
  5. Article
Volume 15, Issue 2
  • ISSN: 1751-9411
  • E-ISSN: 1751-942X

Abstract

The popularity of social networking platforms has increased dramatically in recent years, impacting how people communicate, exchange ideas and exert influence on others. These platforms have provided new opportunities for people to connect and engage with each other, ultimately reshaping their sense of belonging and constructing their identity. The current study focuses on how Qatari youth use social media networks as a tool for identity interaction. By examining the motives for, perceptions about and impacts of social media usage, this study provides insights into how the Qatari youth use these platforms. The research employed a quantitative method, collecting data via an online survey administered through Google Forms. A total of 532 Qatari youth responded to the study. This study’s findings illustrate that most youth use social networks frequently, with half stating that they are always connected. In addition, over 40 per cent report subscribing to one to five groups on social networks. The primary motivation for joining these groups is to engage in discussion about social and political issues as well as to stay up-to-date on the news about their community. According to this study, the most popular social media platform among Qatari youth is Instagram, followed by WhatsApp and Twitter. People use these platforms for different reasons, but many find them to be helpful in staying connected with friends and family, sharing news and experiences and staying up-to-date on current events. Moreover, nearly half of the youth who took part in this study claimed that social media had contributed to creating role models in society. This indicates that social media may play a significant role in shaping young people’s identity and their sense of belonging. A significant number of respondents reported that social media role models influenced their personal choices such as dress, perfumes, language and fashion. This suggests that social media play an unmissable part in shaping individuals’ personal preferences and their cultural identities.

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • Qatar National Research Fund (Award NPRP13S-0130-200203)
© 2022 Intellect Ltd
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/jammr_00046_1
2022-10-01
2024-04-25
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Ahmed, I. S. Y.. ( 2018;), ‘ Examining factors influencing SNS news consumption among university students in Somalia: A modified motivational model. ’, Ph.D. thesis, Selangor:: International Islamic University Malaysia;, https://studentrepo.iium.edu.my/bitstream/123456789/6456/1/t11100386707IsmailSheikhYusufAhmed_SEC_24.pdf. Accessed 15 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Ahmed, I. S. Y.,, Idid, S. A., and Ahmad, Z. A.. ( 2018;), ‘ News consumption through SNS platforms: Extended motivational model. ’, Media Watch, 9:1, pp. 18–36, https://doi.org/10.15655/mw/2018/v9i1/49280. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Alhabash, S.,, Park, H.,, Kononova, A.,, Chiang, Y. H., and Wise, K.. ( 2012;), ‘ Exploring the motivations of Facebook use in Taiwan. ’, Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 15:6, pp. 304–11, https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2011.0611. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Ames, K.. ( 2021;), ‘ Cyberbullying: Qatar. ’, in L. Steckman. (ed.), Examining Internet and Technology around the World, Global Viewpoints, Santa Barbara, CA:: ABC-CLIO;, pp. 37–72.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Anderson, B.. ( 1991), Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism, London:: Verso;, https://doi.org/10.4324/9781912282043. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Anderson, B.. ( 2006), Reimagined Communities: Reflections on the Origins and Spread of Nationalism, London:: Verso;, https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvgs0c0q.10.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Austin, C., and Fozdar, F.. ( 2018;), ‘ Australian national identity: Empirical research since 1998. ’, National Identities, 20:3, pp. 277–98, https://doi.org/10.1080/14608944.2016.1244520. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Babbie, E.. ( 2011), The Basics of Social Research, , 5th ed.., Belmont, CA:: Wadsworth;.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Blumler, J. G., and Katz, E.. ( 1974), The Uses of Mass Communications: Current Perspectives on Gratifications Research, Beverly Hills, CA:: Sage Publications;.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Bolton, R.,, Parasuraman, A.,, Hoefnagels, A.,, Migchels, N.,, Kabadayi, S.,, Gruber, T.,, And, Y. K. L., and Solnet, D.. ( 2013;), ‘ Understanding generation Y and their use of social media: A review and research agenda. ’, Journal of Service Management, 24:3, pp. 245–67, https://doi.org/10.1108/09564231311326987. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Brosdahl, D. J. C., and Carpenter, J. M.. ( 2011;), ‘ Shopping orientations of US males: A generational cohort comparison. ’, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 18:6, pp. 548–54, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2011.07.005. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Cho, J.,, de Zúñiga, H. G.,, Rojas, H., and Shah, D. V.. ( 2003;), ‘ Beyond access: The digital divide and internet uses and gratifications. ’, IT and Society, 1:4, pp. 46–72.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Cresswell, J. W.. ( 2014), Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, , 4th ed.., Thousand Oaks, CA:: Sage Publications;.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Dennis, E.,, Martin, J., and Hassan, F.. ( 2018), Media Use in the Middle East 2018: A Seven-Nation Survey, Doha:: Northwestern University in Qatar;, https://www.qatar.northwestern.edu/docs/publications/research/2018-media-use-survey-report.pdf. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Dieckhoff, A., and Jaffrelot, C.. ( 2005), Revisiting Nationalism, London:: Palgrave Macmillan;, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-10326-0. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. El Gazzar, N.. ( 2015;), ‘ The use of social media among Qatari youth during crises: A survey. ’, Scientific Journal of Public Relations and Advertising Research, 1:4, pp. 43–87, https://doi.org/10.21608/sjocs.2015.88756. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Fox, S.. ( 2004;), ‘ The new imagined community: Identifying and exploring a bidirectional continuum integrating virtual and physical communities through the community embodiment model (CEM). ’, Journal of Communication Inquiry, 28:1, pp. 47–62, https://doi.org/10.1177/0196859903258315. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Hwang, K., and Zhang, Q.. ( 2018;), ‘ Influence of parasocial relationship between digital celebrities and their followers on followers’ purchase and electronic word-of-mouth intentions, and persuasion knowledge. ’, Computers in Human Behavior, 87, January, pp. 155–73, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.05.029. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Ibrahim, F.,, Kee, C. P., and Chwee, K. C.. ( 2012), Ethnic Media and Nation-Building in Malaysia: Issues, Perceptions, and Challenges, Selangor:: School of Media and Communication Studies;.
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Katz, E.. ( 1959;), ‘ Mass communication research and the study of culture: An editorial note on a possible future for this journal. ’, Studies In Public Communication, 2, pp. 1–6.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Katz, E.,, Blumler, J. G., and Gurevitch, M.. ( 1974;), ‘ Uses and gratifications research. ’, Public Opinion Quarterly, 37:4, pp. 509–23.
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Khondker, H. H.. ( 2011;), ‘ Role of the new media in the Arab Spring. ’, Globalizations, 8:5, pp. 675–79, https://doi.org/10.1080/14747731.2011.621287. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Kircaburun, K.,, Alhabash, S.,, Tosuntaş, Ş. B., and Griffiths, M. D.. ( 2020;), ‘ Uses and gratifications of problematic social media use among university students: A simultaneous examination of the big five of personality traits, social media platforms, and social media use motives. ’, International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 18:3, pp. 525–47, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-018-9940-6. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Ko, H.,, Cho, C. H., and Roberts, M. S.. ( 2005;), ‘ Internet uses and gratifications: A structural equation model of interactive advertising. ’, Journal of Advertising, 34:2, pp. 57–70, https://doi.org/10.1080/00913367.2005.10639191. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Kozachenko, I.. ( 2017;), ‘ Retelling old stories with new media: National identity and transnationalism in the “Russian Spring” popular uprisings. ’, East/West: Journal of Ukrainian Studies, 4:1, pp. 137–58, https://doi.org/10.21226/t2b01t. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Lee, A. M., and Chyi, H. I.. ( 2014;), ‘ Motivational consumption model: Exploring the psychological structure of news use. ’, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 91:4, pp. 706–24, https://doi.org/10.1177/1077699014550088. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Lee, S. H.. ( 2015;), ‘ News engagement versus news consumption: Does online news use promote civic engagement?. ’, Electronic News, 9:2, pp. 75–90, https://doi.org/10.1177/1931243115581415. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Mcquail, D.. ( 2005;), ‘ Accountability of media to society: Principles and means. ’, in D. McQuail,, P. Golding, and E. de Bens. (eds), Communication Theory and Research, London:: Sage Publications;, pp. 90–102.
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Meri, A.,, Ahmad, S. A.,, Yusoff, S. M.,, Zakaria, N. S.,, Sarjono, F.,, Maraining, A., and Baco, Z.. ( 2022;), ‘ Patterns of social media usage among Malaysians during the COVID-19 pandemic. ’, Humanities and Social Sciences Letters, 10:1, pp. 27–35, https://doi.org/10.18488/73.v10i1.2229. Accessed 17 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Miladi, N.. ( 2016;), ‘ Social media is indispensable to Qatari students. ’, Peninsula Qatar, 1 February, https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/opinion/01/02/2016/Social-media-is-indispensable-to-Qatari-students. Accessed 25 March 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Miladi, N.,, Ben Messaoud, M., and Zran, J.. ( 2021;), ‘ Broadcasting and national identity construction in Qatar: The case of Al-Rayyan TV. ’, Journal of Arab and Muslim Media Research, 14:2, pp. 189–220, https://doi.org/10.1386/jammr_00035_1. Accessed 25 March 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Moon, J.-W., and An, Y.. ( 2022;), ‘ Scale construction and validation of uses and gratifications motivations for smartphone use by tourists: A multilevel approach. ’, Tourism and Hospitality, 3:1, pp. 100–13, https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp3010007. Accessed 25 March 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  33. MOTC ( 2019;), ‘ Qatar’s digital natives: A deeper look into the everyday use of technology by youth in Qatar. ’, Ministry of Transport and Communications , https://www.safespace.qa/sites/default/files/2019-12/qatars_digital_natives_en.pdf. Accessed 25 March 2022.
  34. MOTC ( 2022;), ‘ ictQATAR to enhance consumer protection. ’, Ministry of Transport and Communications , https://www.motc.gov.qa/en/news-events/news/ictqatar-enhance-consumer-protection. Accessed 25 March 2022.
  35. Okwuchukwu, O. G.,, Ngozi, E., and Emmanuel, U. C.. ( 2014;), ‘ The media and challenges of national identity in Nigeria. ’, American Journal of Social Sciences, 2:3, pp. 49–55, http://www.openscienceonline.com/journal/archive2?journalId=728&paperId=665. Accessed 25 March 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Parker, B. J., and Plank, R. E.. ( 2000;), ‘ Uses and gratifications perspective on the internet as a new information source. ’, American Business Review, 18:2, pp. 43–49, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2012.05.050. Accessed 25 March 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Pavaloiu, I.-B., and Vasile, A.. ( 2014;), ‘ Integration of cultural identity in social media. ’, 10th International Scientific Conference eLearning and Software for Education, Bucharest, 24–25 April.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Pelletier, M. J.,, Krallman, A.,, Adams, F. G., and Hancock, T.. ( 2020;), ‘ One size doesn’t fit all: A uses and gratifications analysis of social media platforms. ’, Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 14:2, pp. 269–84, https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIM-10-2019-0159. Accessed 25 March 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Plume, C. J., and Slade, E. L.. ( 2018;), ‘ Sharing of sponsored advertisements on social media: A uses and gratifications perspective. ’, Information Systems Frontiers, 20:3, pp. 471–83, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-017-9821-8. Accessed 25 March 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. PSA ( 2021;), ‘ Monthly figures on total population. ’, 31 October, https://www.psa.gov.qa/en/pages/default.aspx. Accessed 25 March 2022.
  41. Qualtrics ( 2022;), ‘ Sample size calculator. ’, 15 December, https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/calculating-sample-size/. Accessed 25 March 2022.
  42. Roy, S. K.. ( 2009;), ‘ Internet uses and gratifications: A survey in the Indian context. ’, Computers in Human Behavior, 25:4, pp. 878–86, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2009.03.002. Accessed 25 March 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Seo, M., and Hyun, K. D.. ( 2018;), ‘ The effects of following celebrities’ lives via SNSs on life satisfaction: The palliative function of system justification and the moderating role of materialism. ’, New Media and Society, 20:9, pp. 3479–97, https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444817750002. Accessed 25 March 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  44. Smith, P., and Phillips, T.. ( 2006;), ‘ Collective belonging and mass media consumption: Unraveling how technological medium and cultural genre shape the national imaginings of Australians. ’, Sociological Review, 54:4, pp. 818–46, https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-954X.2006.00673.x. Accessed 25 March 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  45. Stafford, T. F.,, Stafford, M. R., and Schkade, L. L.. ( 2004;), ‘ Determining uses and gratifications for the internet. ’, Decision Sciences, 35:2, pp. 259–88, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.00117315.2004.02524.x. Accessed 25 March 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  46. Yadlin-Segal, A.. ( 2017;), ‘ Constructing national identity online: The case study of #IranJeans on Twitter. ’, International Journal of Communication, 11:1, pp. 2760–83, https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/5780/2082. Accessed 25 March 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  47. Ahmed, Ismail Sheikh Yusuf,, Miladi, Noureddine,, Messaoud, Moez Ben,, Labidi, Fatima,, Ashour, Abeer,, Almohannadi, Hamda,, Fetais, Abdallah, Alkhateeb, Ghena, and Alorfe, Anwar. ( 2022;), ‘ Social media networks as platforms for culture and identity interplay among Qatari youth. ’, Journal of Arab and Muslim Media Research, 15:2, pp. 179–203, https://doi.org/10.1386/jammr_00046_1
     [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1386/jammr_00046_1
Loading
Social media networks as platforms for culture and identity interplay among Qatari youth
Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research 15, 179 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1386/jammr_00046_1
/content/journals/10.1386/jammr_00046_1
/content/journals/10.1386/jammr_00046_1
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): Arab media; Arab youth; digital culture; GCC youth; identity; Qatar; Qatari youth; social media

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error