How does social media affect our world?

While in 2026, some believe it’s a platform for entertainment and fun only; some believe that social media is a tool used against us by those in control and power and some lie somewhere in the middle. Nowadays it's not only used for entertainment, it is our weapon, our way of fighting back our opinions while staying anonymous. Social media holds a vitalpower. It gives the people who are silenced their voice back and the ability to shift everyday reality digitally. 

Online communication platforms brought change and revolution into the Arab world, for example. Arabs all around the Middle East and North Africa were living under a dictatorship regime for decades. They haven’t had the right to conduct mass riots or speak up about the problems they face. However this shifted in the end of 2010. On December 17, 2010Tunisian street vendor set himself on fire in response to the confiscation of his wares as well as harassment and humiliation he faced, inflicted by municipal officials. This was the turning point of the story. The event quickly became known as the start of Arab spring. His death was not left unseen. The whole Arab World was watching through their devices. This incident quickly escalated from an online media sensation to mass riots all over the Arab Peninsula as well as North Africa. 

Following the event, many Arabs turned to digital platforms to form groups and spread their own message, opinions and thoughts across the nation. This resulted in the protesters initially spreading to five other countries: Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain. 

Digital media power still reshapes the political world today. For instance, in African countries like Somalia WhatsApp is not just used as a source of communication, but their only source of getting news, emergencies and it replaced government institutions for them. 

The Iranian uprising that is happening right now gets more attention and awareness because of online platforms. If it wasn’t for digital communication networks many people would’ve stayed unaware of the political and economic problems we face day to day. These platforms brought daylight to change, transformation and shift to a better world. 

Article written by Adiya Yessen | Proofread by Zhangir Zhangaskin