The Impact of Social Media on Social Values in the United Arab Emirates

(A field study)

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the impact of social media on social values in the United Arab Emirates. It adopted a descriptive analytical approach and involved a sample of 201 citizens from the Emirati community, relying on surveys as the research tool.

The study's most significant findings include a statistically significant positive correlation between social media and social values at a meaningful level. The most important social values promoted by social media platforms, from the perspective of the study's sample, are enhancing solidarity and cooperation among individuals, followed by encouraging continuous learning and knowledge exchange, providing emotional support to individuals during tough times, and finally, offering platforms to support charitable causes. There is a high level of agreement among the study's participants that social media has a negative impact on the values of respect and appreciation in society.

The study recommends increasing community awareness of the positive and negative impacts of social media on society and how to address the negative effects. It also suggests providing the appropriate technological infrastructure for using social media across all fields and increasing parental awareness of the need to monitor their children's use of social media sites. Additionally, it calls for increasing the role of educational and community institutions in developing social values among Emirati youth.