Article Type: Research Article Article Citation: Dr. Abdul Malik Al-Danani,
and Dr. Ryadh Ben Amor. (2020). USING SOCIAL MEDIA
WEBSITES TO PROMOTE TERRORISM ISSUES. International Journal of Research
-GRANTHAALAYAH, 8(5), 55-77. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v8.i5.2020.62 Received Date: 09 May 2020 Accepted Date: 26 May 2020 Keywords: Social Media Terrorist Groups Terrorism Issues Modern communication technologies have contributed to the emergence of social media, facilitating the transmission of information, ideas and opinions, and the formation of groups of common interests. Social media has provided fertile ground for non-state groups and terrorism is one of their most important incarnations. This scientific study is based on the theory of "sociology of use", which revolves around the way of perceiving the action and the connotations of technological innovations in society. The purpose of this study is to discover the use of social media websites to promote terrorism issues. Which has become a serious reality imposed on members of communities worldwide, using social networking techniques in the promotion of terrorist groups. In addition to identifying the vision carried by the users of social sites on terrorism issues, and how they exploit their common potential with terrorist groups?
1.
INTRODUCTION
Is there an implicit relationship between modern technologies and the social impact on users? The purpose of this study is to discover the use of social media websites to promote terrorism issues. Which has become a serious reality imposed on members of communities worldwide, using social networking techniques in the promotion of terrorist groups. In addition to identifying the vision carried by the users of social sites on terrorism issues, and how they exploit their common potential with terrorist groups? 2. THE METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR RESEARCH2.1. INTRODUCTIONModern society is experiencing rapid developments in the field of communication, accompanied by changes in the methods of production, distribution and reception of information, due to new technologies and digital media, which has led to the emergence of new technologies. features and functions, the most important. interactive and important multiple content features and functions, the most important of which are interactive and various content. Social networking sites are among the main communication media combining these features. They have spread widely over the Internet and have doubled the number of users in every country in the world. Facebook, for example, is used by more than one billion users worldwide. According to the statistics published in 2016 [1], such sites have become useful and harmful sources of information and ideas. Terrorism issues have become deeply embedded in the realities of the situation of local and
international communities, threatening the interior security and stability of
states and limiting the effectiveness of development plans in their various
fields. Social media technologies have been exploited to promote terrorism and
domestication of minds with destructive and extremist perverse ideas, to
convince subscribers and browsers of these sites of the ideas adopted by those
who promote them. Thus, social networking sites have offered terrorists an open space to promote their ideas and the terrorist problems they adopt in their intellectual ideology and call for its implementation, for example by attracting fighters from around the world under allegations of the establishment of the Islamic State, jihad, etc. 2.2. PROBLEMATIC OF RESEARCHPrevious scientific studies have shown that the use of communication sites increases the formation of social interaction, and since the communication space is an “open” area, the variables in the use of social sites are related to the general development of societies, as they are not static in nature, that is, social forms are changing constantly. Modern means of communication have contributed to the emergence of social media, facilitating the transmission of information, ideas and opinions, as well as the formation of common interest groups, beyond the control of traditional media. Social networking sites have become fertile ground for non-state groups and terrorism is one of the most important incarnations. Hence, the main motivation of our implementation of this study is to answer the following three key questions: · What are the limits and the nature of the use of social networking sites in the promotion of terrorism? · Have these sites been used to spread the ideas of terrorists? · Have social media contributed positively to the problems of terrorism? 2.3. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDYThis study seeks to identify the limits and the nature of the use of social networking sites capabilities in promoting terrorism issues, as well as their impact on the knowledge formation of community members and their attitude to the regard to terrorist issues. The importance of this study is that it illuminates one of the most important and frequent topics of nowadays. Whereas, terrorism and bloody conflicts are among the most serious and widespread problems through various national, Arab and international means of communication and social networks. Importance Can Be
Summarized as Follows: ·
The study
focuses on the axis of employing social networking sites in the process of
communication, and the promotion of terrorism issues and the impact on members
of society and how to address the issues of terrorism. ·
The study
highlights one of the hottest and most current topics, where social networking
sites play a serious role in promoting issues of terrorism and provoking bloody
conflicts, since they combine the characteristics of personal and public
communication to touch the members of society and promotes their addressed
problems. 2.4. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This study aims to
reveal the possibility of using social networking sites to promote the problems
of terrorism, which has become a serious reality imposed on members of
societies around the world, this by identifying the use of network sites in the
promotion of terrorism-related issues, as well as the different areas and
dimensions of this relationship. In addition to identifying the view that
social sites deal with issues related to terrorism and how they are used and
exploited by terrorist groups to propagate their deviant thoughts? And can
social media contribute positively to the fight against the problems of
terrorism? 2.5. QUESTIONS OF THE STUDY
This study
seeks to answer many questions about the role played by social networking sites
in promoting terrorism and spreading deviant ideas. These questions include: 1)
To
what extent did the public sample for the study use social networking sites? 2)
To
what extent are social media interested in covering terrorism issues? 3)
What
social sites are the most promoting for terrorism issues? 4)
Do
social sites present the problems of terrorism as they are, or do they
manipulate them and give them another image? 5)
Does
the coverage of terrorist cases by social media vary according to the direction
and trends of the social web site? 6)
To
what extent are social media sites committed to dealing with terrorist issues
with professional ethics? 2.6. STUDY APPROACH
This study
is a descriptive study that was used in the implementation of the survey method
by taking the advice of a sample of social media users using the survey or the
so-called questionnaire, which means "a set of questions designed to
collect the necessary data on the problem under study (Alserafi,
2002: p 115). [2] 2.7. STUDY LIMITS
·
Geographic
framework: The spatial boundaries of the study were limited to Yemen and
Tunisia. ·
Age
Framework: Includes the age group (from 25 to 55 years). ·
Thematic
framework: The function of social networking sites in promoting terrorism
issues. ·
Time
frame: Deadlines have been limited in 2017, due to the increase in terrorist
acts. 2.8. STUDY POPULATION
The study
population is a random sample of social media users in the Republic of Yemen
and the Republic of Tunisia. The researchers selected a random sample of 280
people of both sexes. The
questionnaire is a tool for collecting data from respondents. It contains a
series of questions intended to collect the necessary data on the research
problem studied [3]. It aims to obtain answers to
written questions in a form prepared for that purpose, to which the respondent gives
answers [4]. 2.9. STUDY DATA COLLECTION TOOL
After
identifying the research problem and formulating it according to the questions
the study seeks to answer, the researchers designed the questionnaire and
distributed it "electronically" to the sample members, after
presenting it to a group of colleagues for the purpose of scientific
arbitration of its content. The link has been sent to the sample members to
access the page and participate electronically. This electronic method was able
to overcome the obstacle of geographical distance by means of electronic
correspondence, as result 280 persons responded to the questionnaire. The
questionnaire included two axes: Axis 1: Basic data illustrating the demographic characteristics of the
sample members, in terms of gender, age, occupation and scientific level. Axis 2: basic information on the use of social networking sites in the
promotion of terrorism issues. 2.10. PREVIOUS STUDIES
The
researchers examined many previous studies of social networking sites and their
multiple effects, including studies of social networking sites and their
applications, some prepared by postgraduate researchers and others published in
peer-reviewed journals. It was noted that some of the previous studies dealt
with research ideas that are close to our study or that they are partially
addressed. Among these studies*: The study (Ridha Abdul
Wajid Amin 2016) [5]aimed to identify the role of
Twitter and blogging campaigns through social networking sites in the processes
of cultural development, and the extent to which social networks are employed
To make positive effects on users towards the Year of the Prophet of Islam
Muhammad "Peace be upon him",
and the way to interact with his topics. The
study reached many conclusions,
most notably: that more than half of the sample of users of social
networking sites are keen to employ these sites by calling by introducing the
Prophet or establishing a dialogue with friends
and followers of their pages and accounts of special interests, about
the prophet and his biography and his creativity and virtues. Each social
networking site has a differential advantage over other sites, some are
interested in the exchange of texts, others focus on the image and a third
focuses on video files, including what combines forms of multimedia, to convey
the media message, as well as the most Social media using the definition
of Prophet Muhammad, was Facebook, which came first. The
study (Sadeq Rabah, 2016) [6] showed the importance of critical thinking in
the rational management of rumors on social networks and studied the
implications of the practice of critical thinking on the rationality of the
management of rumors in social networks. social networks. The study has yielded
many results, including: the existence of a technological and social mechanism
based on the promotion and consolidation of the critical thinking of social
media users, overcomes many misinformation and manipulation, especially during
crises and disasters, to multiply the rumors during these events and to flee
for the lives of individuals easily and conveniently. The second approach is
based on the idea of allowing users to collectively think,
understand and deal with conceptual and controversial issues, such as decision-making,
environmental management and various social problems, such as disclosure of
rumors. The
2015 Study of (Faten Abdelrahman) [7] sought to identify the nature and
size of Egyptian expatriates' uses of social media sites and the impact of
demographic factors on this. And knowing
their objectives and reasons of using social networks. As well as the
extent to which the members of the search sample relied on social media as
source of information on terrorism
issues. The study
concluded many results, including: the
rate of use of social networking sites by Egyptian expatriates is very high,
perhaps due to the rapid spread and ease of use without complications. The
results confirmed that the use of social media sites affects the cognitive,
emotional and behavioral fields of the members of the sample, and the effects
in all areas were largely represented, with averages of between 203 and 292,
and by a percentage of between 46.3% and 94.2%. The
study (Kafi, Mohammed Abdul Wahab al-Faqih, Salhi, Hatem Ali Haider) [8] focused on knowing the information
sought by Arab youth from social networks on the phenomenon of terrorism. In
addition to monitoring the factors affecting the Arab youth seeking news and
information from social networks on the phenomenon of terrorism. As well as
knowing the impact of the dependence of Arab youth on social networks in
obtaining news and information about the phenomenon of terrorism. The study
concludes with several findings: Individuals seek primarily to seek specific
information and details about terrorist cases and incidents that occur in their
countries rather than seeking general information about terrorism. The rate of
dependence on the impact of the media raises during crises and transformations
experienced by societies. The
objective of the study (Hassan Al-Mutairi,
2012) [9]: is to reveal the nature of the
political uses of Twitter and its different purposes and contents on the part
of the Kuwaiti youth. The researcher used the descriptive survey method in the
study and the questionnaire tool that was applied to a sample of 404
respondents selected in a simple random manner from a variety of young people. The study
has reached many results, the most important of which are: The diverse uses of
Twitter that relate to the nature of the work or the function of user ranked
first. Next come the uses related to new friendships of both sexes, then the
use for entertainment, and in the end the applications of leisure. The
study (Hosni Awad, 2012): examined the impact of social
networking sites on the development of youth social responsibility, through the
application of a training program to a group of young people (Allar Youth Council) in Palestine. The researcher
indicated, through the application of the social responsibility scale,
respondents who had been trained to create multiple web pages for each
respondent group after being exposed to several social responsibility
conferences and dialogues. The study
yielded many results, among which: The perception of the sample regarding the
concepts and details of social responsibility has changed significantly after
the creation of pages on Facebook and their interaction with them. The
study of (Mubarak Zoudeh, 2011) [10] sought to identify the role played
by social media in shaping Tunisian public opinion, and the role played by
these means in the virtual mobilization of Tunisian public opinion and production
of the Tunisian revolution. The study also sought to know the habits and
patterns of users of social media sites, and the impact of their use. The most
important results of the study are: Facebook is the most used by the
respondents at 79.68%, while daily navigation on social networking sites is the
most used attribute of respondents (71,87 %). The
study of (Hatem Alawneh, 2011) [11] focused on: Identify the nature of
the role played by social networking sites, in motivating Jordanian citizens to
participate in the mass movement demanding political, economic and social
reform through Jordanian trade unionists, using the method of media survey in
both descriptive and analytical. Among the
most important results of the study: Social media has played a moderate role in
motivating trade unionists to participate in the mass movement, and 19.9% of
trade unionists participate in the mass movement through social networking
sites permanently. The
study of (Nasr al-Din al-Adi, 2011) [12] tried to reveal the compatibility
and difference in the use of the Internet based on the assumption that the
possession of technology does not necessarily unify the use and
standardization, and to know the new forms of communication for young people
through their use of the Internet. The study used the descriptive survey method
based on the questionnaire. Among the
findings of the study is that youth use of the Internet in the UAE varies
according to variables such as gender and age, and that its use has led to a
strengthening of social relations. The
study of (Taher Abu Zeid, 2011) [13] seeks to identify the impact of
social sites on public opinion and explain their implications for political
participation through their impact on public opinion, The study relied on
proving its hypothesis on the descriptive and analytical methodology based on
the questionnaire and interview tool as one of the social survey tools. One of the
most important findings of the study is: Interactive social sites contribute
significantly to the influence of public opinion in the Palestinian society. The
study of (Fayez al-Shehri, 2014) [14] focused on extremism and cyber
terrorism and revealed that the extremist sites ranging from 240 to 300
websites, as increasing and decreasing according to the hottest events in the
Arab and international arena. The study
pointed out that Arab and Western statistics on the number of extremist sites
are for the most part characterized by exaggeration and lack of methodology, as
some consider all those who seek jihad are extremists, while other researchers
see that every site calling for expulsion and resistance against colonialism is
part of extremism, even if the nature of the conflict is popular or national or
moderate Islamist. 2.11. WHAT DISTINGUISHES OUR STUDY FROM PREVIOUS
STUDIES?
After a
brief review of many studies, perhaps the most striking features of our study
compared by previous studies are: 1) Its focus on employing social media
websites to promote terrorism issues. 2) Demonstrates the extent to which
terrorists use social media to promote their ideas and beliefs. 3) Implemented during the period of
intensification of the violence experienced especially by the Arab region,
during 2017. 4) Previous studies have focused on
linking the study of social networking sites to other issues different from
those identified in our study, such as the study of (Reda Abdel-Wajid, 2015) or
the study of (Faten Abdel-Rahman, 2015). 5) We hope that this study will
provide a valuable scientific contribution to previous scientific efforts to
use the potential of social networking sites to raise awareness and counter the
dangers of deviant and extremist thinking by terrorist groups. 3.
USE OF
SOCIAL NETWORK SITES IN THE PROMOTION OF TERRORISM
3.1. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNICATION THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORKINGInternet
has gained a great international reputation, and a broad propagation capacity
in a much shorter time than other means of communication. The Radio has
remained more than 38 years to reach nearly 50 million listeners worldwide, and
the TV took 13 years to reach the same number, while the Internet
reached that number in four years. The number of Facebook users is estimated at
1.4 billion and 47% of its users have a presence on social sites [15] Given the rapid and continuous
growth in the number of users, the objectives and the diversity of uses have
varied. Previous
scientific studies indicated that social networking sites are the most reliable way for the public as a source
of information related to terrorism issues, it has grown relative to
traditional media such as newspapers, radio and television. This reflects the
importance of information sources promoted by social networking sites in
tracking events and terrorist issues used by the public because of its rapid
spread to follow the news and a continuous and rapid update of what it
publishes. [16] The
concept of social networking sites, and public interactive applications running
through the Internet, such as online news sites, and broadcasting applications
such as Podcast, YouTube, forums, discussion groups, the use of search engines,
Facebook and Twitter, as well as website groups. These sites combine the
functionality of personal and mass communication, personal media, and allow the
user to control the form, quality, content and timing of the communication in
which he wishes to participate [17]. The characteristics of social
networking sites may be limited to the following: [18] Interpersonal Communication Media: It combines the properties of personal communication and mass
communication. This includes
E-mail, which features both public and private communication, and Mobil 1)
Information Search Media: It is both a source of information and knowledge and
an easy and quick access to these resources. 2)
Collective Participatory Medium: Group sharing has evolved with the advent of the
second generation of Web 2.0, Social Networks, and Social Media, it allows any
user to be a publisher who sends his message to others. 3) Interactive Play Medium: Interactive means of communication.
Virtual Reality is an interactive feature that provides interactivity to users
and aims to take advantage of sharing and performance rather than Content in
Ratification. The
sender and the receiver exchange their roles, the communication is
bidirectional and reciprocal, and not unilateral, it is a dialogue between two
parties. This interactive feature is exploited in the process of persuasion. 4) Substitution: replacement of other means. The user can browse
printed and electronic newspapers, track radio and TV stations, offer audio
programs and download sound, and view movies and videos, including the popular
YouTube, to participate in videos. It is
clear that social networking sites combine a number of means and functions in a
comprehensive manner and that their features are not distinct from the role of
traditional media but have many complementary features. Connecting
via social networking sites has many features, including: [19] 1)
Asynchronous:
Enables quick interaction with the communication process for the individual,
whether he is emitter or sender. 2)
Movement
and flexibility: modern means can be transferred to the recipient or sender,
such as laptops, mobile phones and other devices, to take advantage of them. 3)
Media
integration: Use multiple communication methods, such as text, sound, still
image, animation, 2D and 3D graphs, etc. 4)
Attention
and focus: The user of the sites is active in the selection and interaction
with the content and this is characterized by a high degree of attention and
concentration. 5)
Storage
and preservation: It is easy for the user to store, save
and retrieve communication messages as part of the capabilities and features of
the device itself. According
to the researchers, "Levero and
Livingstone," the communication through social networking sites, is
characterized by the following: [20] 1)
Interconnectedness:
It allows the communication of several points to several other points, not only
from a single point to several points. 2)
Easy
access: From users who operate as senders, recipients and producers. 3)
Diversity
of content: In terms of political, social and cultural media content, news,
information, films, series and various other fields. 4)
Open-ended:
Versatility and openness to novelty in terms of the content of the information
media. McWill
has identified the social networking domains that affect the target audience as
follows: [21] The power
of influence: It is highly capable of influencing users. 1)
Social
change and development: Through its power of influence over social change,
because of its appeal to the public and its interactive properties, and the
public used to interact with them voluntarily or willingly. 2)
Transcend
the challenges of space and time: Social media have been freed from space and
time restrictions and messages sent to sites come from anywhere in the world
and reach the world very quickly and in many ways, including news and
information, as well as chat rooms. And the spread and freedom of space “Delocatedness”. Which made it not related to a specific
geographical area. 3)
Social
sites allow their users to create private pages and spaces within the site
itself, then connect and communicate with other users and share content. [22]That's why terrorists use it to
send their ideas and influence their followers on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other sites. 3.2. EXPLOITING SOCIAL MEDIA TO PROMOTE TERRORISM
ISSUES
The
concept of "terrorism" came from the Latin origins Terroris, and Terror means fear. [23] Despite the many definitions of
terrorism, some forces and international organizations are trying to define and
interpret it from their point of view and in the service of their goals and
interests. According to the Arab Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism in
1998, terrorism is any act or threat of violence of any nature or purpose that
is committed during the implementation of an individual or group criminal
project, it aims to terrorize or frighten people by endangering their lives,
freedom or safety. Or put in danger public or private facilities and assets or
occupy it or seize it or endanger any national resource. [24] Arabic
encyclopedias and dictionaries define "terrorism" as a word derived
from the act of "terrorized". An act of the same substance which is “horrify”
- رهب
- means fear and consternation. Journal of Islamic Research. 2012 '' (Taha, 2015, p. 6) [25] & (Al-Ani,
2013, p. 79) Robert's
dictionary defined terrorism as the systematic use of means that use violence
to achieve a political objective [26]. There is
no agreement to define a specific concept of terrorism for reasons dictated by
ideological political and intellectual conditions of the prevailing regimes in
contemporary societies (Al-Dulaimi, 2010, p. 180). [27] Although some peoples belonging to a
particular culture and country consider an act as terrorism may be this same
act is considered by others as heroism, courage, resistance and liberation, so
this problem has contributed to confusion, overlap and chaos in presentation,
processing and analysis. (Kirat 2014, 10). [28] The definition of terrorism has
multiplied and bifurcated to the extent of divergence, as example: Terrorism is
a special type of tyranny which is not bound by law and rules and does not pay
attention to its victims and directed strikes that doesn’t take a specific
pattern towards its intended objectives in order to create an atmosphere of
terror and fear and paralyze the effectiveness of victims (Al-Dulaimi, 2002 , P. 80). [29] In this
study, we adopt the definition of the Arab Observatory of Extremism and
Terrorism, as we have noted its clarity, conciseness and comprehensiveness. It
refers to terrorism as "any act aimed at terrorizing an individual,
group or state in order to achieve objectives and interests that are not
permitted by domestic or international laws" (Arab Observatory.com –
2014). [30] So, Social
Networks allow users to create pages and private spaces within the same site,
and then use them to connect, communicate and share content with other users. [31]This characteristic allowed
terrorist groups to employ them in many areas to serve their interests, most
notably: 1)
Propaganda: This
is one of the main functions of social networking sites by terrorist groups,
and this propaganda is in form of texts, images and videos that explain their
goals and ideas. 2)
Recruitment: Terrorist
groups use social networking sites to build relationships and seek support from
sympathetic audiences, as well as private chats. One of the
media features of social networking sites is the speed of transmitting events
with images rather than words, like what YouTube does, and the media function
has gone from promoting words to promoting images. This function has made social
networking sites the best, safest, and fastest-spread option
for terrorist groups, through which they enter society and intensify their
promotion and recruitment efforts to achieve their goals. Deal with its
problems and effects and demonstrate it by accessing social networking sites. On
the other hand, individuals and organizations are striving to combat terrorism,
and the intensification of conflict has become evident between those who
promote terrorism and those who deal with its problems and effects, that is
what the access to social networking sites shows. Social
networking sites promoting terrorism cases range from 240 to 300 websites and
increase or decrease according to the hottest events in the Arab and
international arena. Most are exaggerated and lack methodology, as some
consider all jihadists to be extremists, while others believe that all sites of
expulsion and resistance are part of extremism, whatever the nature of the
presentation: 'National Islamist, popular or moderate. Over the last ten years,
virtual entities have been created as media centers or institutions whose
creation costs only an attractive advertisement that leads the Internet browser
to a site created by its owner to rebroadcast and to promote content and fatwas
evoking extremism. Emphasizing that cyber-extremism groups are characterized by
great vitality in dissemination, disguise and appearance. Extremist
groups not only send emails but have penetrated the sites of forums far from
suspicion, such as sports sites, women, sexuality and young audiences, to
exchange information and images targeted sites. [32] There are serious electronic issues
in the prevalence of the phenomenon of electronic fatwas passed through social
networking sites since 2001, we must warn about the degree of danger of the
content of these sites and forums, which contain electronic dialogues, false
news and misleading rumors and abuse of religion, beliefs, and Islamic
decisions. The
technological development of the use of social media sites has provided an
unexpected service to the terrorist organizations that exploit them to carry
out their operations against the security of peoples and communities, as well
as their criminal acts aimed at state infrastructure, and provided simple and
multiple methods for transferring ideas, data and information to terrorist
groups in the absence of security services at first, it has managed to draw a
crowd of young people into the clutches of terrorist groups to implement
terrorist practices. These sites also generated an unlimited flow of
information and data to these organizations, that to use them in recruiting
terrorists to conduct terrorist operations. [33] The use of
social networking sites by terrorist groups is also being used to reach out to
some young people, and their petitions under various justifications to carry
out criminal operations or terrorist acts, which are promoted and instilled in
the hearts and minds of reckless young people, especially those in need of
money. We quote as an example the Egyptian university student, who was planning
a terrorist attack on one of the densely populated markets of Maadi, which withdrew, in October 2017, from his crime at
the last minute to present with his car loaded with 10 kilograms of explosives
at a police station. The young man admitted in the investigation that he had
received misleading information through social media to carry out a criminal
operation against residents in the Maadi neighborhood.
[34] As well as the live and direct
broadcast of the burning of the Jordanian pilot by the ISIS groups in Iraq,
through social networking sites. Some
social networking sites promote destructive ideas, through the content conveyed
and promoted in the minds of young Arabs, including the appearance of
"Satan-worshipers"* incidents, which provoked feelings of anger and
resentment in the Egyptian and Arabic streets about the danger of these sites
on young Muslims and the denial of their faith. [35] Terrorists use social networking
sites because of their ability to communicate with others, especially those in
the youth category, to spread their ideas thoughtfully to convince these young
people of extremist thinking, whether through religion or by their principles
or by violent ideas. These risks can be reduced as much as possible by
monitoring what is displayed on social media sites, by not receiving the
broadcast of a specific entity or center, and by blocking negative information,
by constantly monitoring various sources promotion, in order to identify what
represents the source of the risks and by applying a method of blocking,
especially since there are devices and programs that ensure the monitoring of
the communication network and the tracking of messages exchanged. These
procedures are currently being followed by the United States of America in the
navigation and tracking of sites that doubt content. In our field study, we
seek to identify the point of view of a sample of users of social networking
sites on the phenomenon of terrorism. 4.
ANALYSIS
OF THE FIELD STUDY RESULTS
4.1. ANALYSIS OF RESPONDENTS' PERSONAL DATA
Table 1: shows the sample distribution of
the study by gender
The
results in Table (1) indicate that the majority of the study sample was male at
74.4%, while the percentage of women was 26.6%, indicating the low percentage
of women using social networks, especially in Yemen, although the percentages
in Tunisia are close, the researchers wanted to reach a larger number of women
so that the ratio is close to the number male, but it was the best choice
possible. This is for two reasons: first, the absence of Yamani women who use
social networks in the research audience. The second is the difficulty of
communicating with the Yamen women's group: as a conservative society, the
researchers were not able to communicate directly with them because they had
more access to Male. Table 2: shows the distribution of the
study sample by age
The
results in Table 2 indicate that most of the study sample was in the 36 to 45
age group (48%), followed by the 18 to 35 age group (47%). This is normal
because both stages are the most active phase in the use and tracking of social
networking site posts. Table 3:
shows the educational qualifications of the study sample
The
results in Table (3) indicate that most respondents in the study sample had a
university level of 42%, followed by Higher studies graduates with 41%,
followed by high school with 13% and the percentage those with a higher degree
only 3%. This means that the highest percentage of the sample in the study are
educated and at an advanced stage of education, and we can count on their answers,
in the sense that they are able to understand the use the social networking
sites, and therefore to answer the paragraphs of the questionnaire in a
rudimentary and objective way. Table 4: shows the distribution of the study
sample according to marital status
The
results in Table (4) indicate that most respondents in the study sample are
married (81.8%) while single people are (18.2%). This result goes well with the
sample of the study and gives a clear indicator that the respondents live in
family and emotional stability, that means they will not be affected by the
claims of groups that promote terrorism. Table 5: shows the average of monthly
expenditure of the study sample
The
results of Table (5) indicate that the level of monthly expenditure of the public
sample varies, as the highest percentage spends less than $ 500 per month,
which means low income level for the largest number of the study sample. Such
economic situation can affect any individual in any society. Table 6: shows the work area of the study
sample
The
results in Table (6) indicate that most of the study sample works in public organizations,
where the percentage reaches 46%, and 33% of respondents work in the private
sector, while 14% are unemployed and do not have a job. This percentage may be
the most users of social networking sites. They can be easily influenced on the pretext of
providing a job. Table 7: shows the political and party
affiliation of the study sample
The
results in the table (7) indicate that most of the study sample belongs to
parties or political organizations, with 69.2%, while 30.8% of respondents
reported being independent. This result is expected given the political climate
in Yemen and Tunisia, as well as the fact that they can use social media to
express their views and intellectual trends. Table 8: shows the duration of use of the
study sample for social networking sites during the day.
The results in the
table (8) indicate that most respondents in the sample use their social media
sites for at least an hour a day, where 32% of the sample uses three hours
daily and 18% exceeds their daily use four hours. The results confirm that the
sample members are activists and use social media sites frequently. Table 9: shows the order of the most used social media
sites by the study sample
The results in Table
(9) and Chart (1) indicate that most of the study sample makes extensive use of
social networking sites, WhatsApp was ranked first in terms of usage with 84%, followed
by Facebook with 69%, YouTube with 24%, Twitter with 22%, Instagram by 14%,
Telegram by 13%, Snapchat by 6% and 2% were distributed among other social
networking sites such as LinkedIn, blogs and other sites. 4.2. SOCIAL SITES WHERE TERRORIST GROUPS ARE ACTIVE
Table
10: Shows
the social sites in which terrorist groups are active, from the point of view
of the study sample who use social sites
The results of Table
(10) and Figure (2) indicate that most respondents believe that Facebook is the
most used site by terrorist groups, with 66%. Followed by Twitter (41%),
YouTube (37%), WhatsApp (31%), Telegram (16%), Instagram (8%), and 18% among
other social media sites. Such as LinkedIn, blogs, private sites, personal
pages, etc. This can be a logical result for a number of reasons, firstly because
Facebook is one of the first social sites that appear on the Internet, and
secondly, the results of previous studies have shown that this site was one of
the most important social sites used in many Arab countries and in the world. 4.3. TERRORISM ISSUES AS A PRIORITY FOR SOCIAL MEDIA
The results of Figure
(3) indicate that 52% of respondents believe to some extent that the issues of
terrorism are some of the priorities of social networking sites. While 24%
agreed that terrorism is a priority for social media, and the same percentage
did not agree that terrorism issues are a priority for social media. This means
that terrorism issues are spreading through websites and can affect users
broadly. The countries of the world in general and the Arab and Islamic
countries in particular are suffering from the events of terrorism, which
become the focus of social media users' attention, making it a priority for the
media functions of social networking sites, as confirmed by more than half of
the respondents. 4.4. OBJECTIVE ENGAGEMENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA SITES IN
THEIR COVERAGE OF TERRORISM ISSUES
Figure (4) shows that
only 11% of respondents agree that social media sites are objective in their
coverage of terrorist cases, while 44% of respondents disagree with this view,
while 45% of respondents agree to some extent that the sites are committed objectively
in their coverage of terrorism. 4.5. SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES CONVEY THE TRUTH
IMPARTIALLY
Figure (5) shows that 60%
of respondents do not agree that social networking sites convey the truth
impartially. This percentage represents the opinion of more than half of the
study sample, while only 9% of respondents agreed that social networking sites
convey the truth as it is. This approach gives a clear indication of the
manipulation of information posted by social sites and could be exploited by
terrorist groups. 4.6. THE CLASSIFICATION OF TERRORISM CASES IS
SUBJECT TO THE TENDENCIES AND BELIEFS OF THOSE WHO MANAGE AND SUPERVISE THE
SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE
The results in Figure
(6) indicate that this result is an explanation of its predecessors, more than
half of respondents believe that personal attitudes and convictions affect
social media activists and users in classifying terrorism cases, this is one of
the most important challenges in terms of objectivity and impartiality, which
confirms the findings of previous studies that objectivity in its absolute is
not possible for many reasons, including personal tendencies and the most
important beliefs. 4.7. HAVE TERRORISM ISSUES BEEN APPROVED ON SOCIAL
MEDIA?
The results in Figure
(7) indicate a difference in the opinion of the sample on terrorism issues, due
to the difference of opinion on the definition of the concept of terrorism. Often,
there is disagreement on the interpretation of national terrorism cases, due to
the entrenchment of one party against another, for example, in the current
Yemeni situation, there are two parties, each accusing the other of terrorism
and sees himself innocent, this is clearly shown by following party reports on
social networking sites. 4.8. SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES CONTRIBUTE TO
DISTORTING FACTS
The results of Figure
8 show that when a terrorist case is committed by a specific group or entity,
and then social media appear to justify it and place it outside the circle of
terrorism, it contributes to distort the facts and does not describe the
reality as it is. This is what the sample members agree on. 4.9. SOCIAL MEDIA PROVIDERS HAVE LIMITS TO WHICH
THEY ARE COMMITTED
The results in Figure
(9) indicate that over half of those surveyed believe that people who manage
social media sites respect limits while covering terrorism cases. 4.10. SOCIAL MEDIA INTEREST IN TERRORISM ISSUES
BECAUSE THEY ARE INTERESTING AND DRAW ATTENTION
The results in Figure
(10) indicate that terrorism-related issues are the most interesting and
popular ones, and thus attract the most attention from social networking sites,
social media accounts need more audiences, subscribers and users who are
attracted to terrorism issues, which has been approved by most of the sample. In
this respect, terrorist groups find an entry to broadcast their material and
bring their followers, their public and their followers. Proponents of
propaganda and admirers disseminate these materials, consciously or not, to
achieve the goals of terrorist groups. 4.11. THERE IS A DIVERGENCE ON TERRORISM ISSUES FOR
SOCIAL MEDIA
The results in Figure
(11) indicate that more than half of the study's sample believes there is a
discrepancy in the content of media documents posted on social media sites
dealing with terrorist issues. This is due mainly to the lack of agreement on a
common definition of terrorism, as well as the intellectual and cultural
background, trends and convictions among social media users. 4.12. THE MATERIAL POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS IS
AFFECTED BY THE SOCIAL SITE POLICY
The results of Figure
(12) indicate that the policy of media organizations is one of the most
important factors and pressure on the content of social networking sites, it's
a fact that brings together almost everyone's opinion of the sample. This
paragraph refers to the site accounts of social media institutions, which are
the spokespersons of the groups and their policies and address the problems of
terrorism as they see them. 4.13. THE IMPACT OF THE INTELLECTUAL TREND ON SOCIAL
MEDIA COVERAGE OF TERRORIST ISSUES
The results of Figure
(13) indicate that most of the sample of the study confirms that one of the
strongest factors affecting the type of the content published on social
networking sites when covering terrorist issues, are the intellectual direction
and ideological background of their responsible. 4.14. IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CLASSIFICATION ON
TERRORISM ISSUES
The results of Figure
(14) indicate that more than half of the sample confirms that the media
materials published through social media sites are affected by the
international media classification of terrorism cases. Like the rest of the world,
the Arab world is influenced by the policies of the great powers that control
international decisions and adhere to them. This is true for media
organizations and social media accounts, which often do not exceed them. 4.15. SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES ARE AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEMENTARY PART OF TERRORIST OPERATIONS
The results of Figure
(15) indicate that 47% of respondents believe that social networking sites play
an important, complementary and calculated role for any terrorist operation. It
confirms what many studies and specialists have pointed out and explained that
any terrorist operation aims to achieve many goals, most notably spreading
terror and fear in the community. This has been achieved by social networking
sites, where they found a safe place to cover media for all their activities
and their work and highlight the violent event, from which the media quoted
their news. That’s why social networking sites were accused of partnering with
terrorists in their operations. 4.16. TERRORIST GROUPS ARE KEEN TO BENEFIT FROM
SOCIAL MEDIA
The results of Figure
(16) indicate that this paragraph confirms and matches the result of the
previous paragraph, the terrorist is keen to take advantage of social
networking sites to achieve his goals and disseminate his ideas and confirms
the previous accusation of being a partner of terrorists. 4.17. CONTRIBUTION OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES TO THE
SPREAD AND POPULARITY OF TERRORIST GROUP OPERATIONS
The results of Figure (17) indicate that the views of the respondents
are consistent with the previous two paragraphs on the contribution of social
media sites to the wide spread of terrorist group operations. Many terrorist
operations remain limited in impact and do not exceed their time and geographic
framework until they are addressed and communicated by social media. 5. DISCUSSION OF THE THEORETICAL AND FIELD STUDY RESULTSIn light of what has been clarified in the theoretical study area,
social networking sites have multiple multimedia functions and are
characterized by advanced communication features between users, including: 1)
Technical
development has provided unanticipated service to terrorist organizations and
groups and used them to carry out their terrorist operations aimed at protecting
the security of individuals and communities. 2)
It
promotes good and bad media content in the religious, political, cultural,
social fields, and other areas. It is a double-edged sword whose potential can
be employed in useful or harmful fields. 3)
Its
distinctive abilities in the power of influence, spread, persuasion and
influence have been employed by terrorist groups or organizations to
cyber-promote their extremist ideas. 4)
The
characteristics of cyber-extremism are obvious by using them in propaganda,
this is one of its essential functions, especially in recruitment, to create
relationships with website users. 5)
Terrorist
groups are the most widely disseminated, promoted and communicated to users of
multiple social sites, highlighted by the actions of ISIS and Al-Qaida, who use
sophisticated media techniques to influence. 5.1. THE FIELD STUDY REACHED SEVERAL RESULTS, WHICH
MAY HAVE ACHIEVED ITS OBJECTIVES, INCLUDING
1)
Most of
respondents use social networking sites at least one hour per day, with 32% of
the sample using daily less than three hours per day and 18% exceeding their
daily use four hours. These results confirm that the respondents are active in
the use of social media. 2)
Most of
the sample of the study use social networking sites to a high degree, and
WhatsApp came first in terms of use by 84%, followed in the ranking of Facebook
by 69%, then YouTube by 24%, then Twitter by 22%, and Instagram by 14 %,
Followed by Telegram by 13%, Snapchat by 6%, and 2% among other social
networking sites, such as LinkedIn and blogs and other sites. 3)
Most
respondents believe that Facebook is the most widely used by terrorist group with
66%, followed by Twitter (41%), YouTube (37%), WhatsApp (31%), Telegram (16%),
and Instagram (8%). 18%, among other social networking sites, such as LinkedIn,
blogs, private sites, personal pages, and other sites. 4)
This
result can be normal, because it is due to several reasons, including that
Facebook is one of the first social sites to appear on the Internet, and
secondly, many of the results of previous studies proved that this site among
the most used social sites in many Arab countries And the world, as confirmed
by previous studies. 5)
Terrorism-related
issues are among the top priorities of the media functions of social networking
sites, which was confirmed by 52% of respondents, because of its advantages, in
terms of immediate updating of news and information in all fields. This means
that terrorism issues spread through the sites and can affect users in a large
way, and the countries of the world in general and the Arab countries in
particular, suffer from the events of terrorism, and became the focus of public
attention, making it a priority of the media functions of social networking
sites, as emphasized by the majority of respondents. 6)
Most
respondents are not of the opinion that social media sites are objective in
their coverage of terrorist issues, while only 11% agree with this view,
confirming the potential role that terrorist groups can exploit in promoting
their misleading ideas to users. 7)
The
increased number of followers and interactions with social networking sites
have led to the publication and sharing of the content published by terrorist
groups, arousing interest and attention, creating a space for the dissemination
of ideas and attracting followers and public. These accounts contributed with
or without knowledge to the objectives of terrorist groups and their promotion. 8)
Social
networking sites have contributed to the spread of terrorist group operations.
Terrorist operations have limited impact until they are processed by social
media sites and transmitted and the unique realm of news, analysis and
transport beyond time and space is diffused like wildfire among the members of
society. 6.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the scientific
findings of the field study conducted on a sample of users and activists of
social networking sites, the researchers make a set of recommendations: 1)
Benefiting
from the use of interactive capabilities available on social media sites, both
from governmental and non-governmental organizations, especially in raising
awareness of the dangers of cases promoted by terrorist groups. 2)
Linking
social media accounts to the real data of the subscribers and making sure of
the identities by linking them through the relevant official authorities to
provide the service of communication sites or control devices. 3)
Identify
specialized bodies in Arab and Islamic countries concerned with security
analysis of social sites, follow-up accounts of terrorist groups and work to
close them and warn of their seriousness. 4)
Governments,
with community participation, develop programs that accommodate young people
and seek to exploit their energies for the benefit of themselves and their
countries and protect them intellectually, psychologically and economically, so
that they are not easy prey to extremist terrorist groups. 5)
Effective
societal interest in reducing the spread of terrorism. Indeed, it is not the
responsibility of a single entity, but everyone, individuals, organizations and
governments, each for its part, should contribute to the fight against
terrorism and the exhaustion of its sources. 6)
Design
Arab websites with meaningful and useful content, focused on awareness,
guidance and orientation, with the aim of reducing the destructive ideas
conveyed and promoted by extreme social Web sites in the minds of young people
Arabs. 7)
Determine
the definition of terrorism by the United Nations, to which all States
contribute, adopted as a recognized international law, so that terrorism does
not remain a rubbery concept, interpreted each as they see fit and used as a
projected sword against any dissenting opinion. SOURCES OF FUNDINGNone. CONFLICT OF INTERESTNone. ACKNOWLEDGMENTNone. REFERENCES
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