The impact of modern communication technology on building national identity among youth in Saudi Arabia as a case study

Authors

  • Hassan Matar Alshahrani Author
  • Zuhair Hassan Daif Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59992/IJESA.2026.v5n2p10

Keywords:

Modern Communication Technology, National Identity, Youth, Digital Participation, Foreign Content, Education, Critical Discrimination

Abstract

This study aims to explore the impact of modern communication technologies on the formation of national identity among young people in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the relationship between usage levels, exposure to foreign content, digital national participation, educational level, and the ability to critically evaluate digital content. The study employed a descriptive-analytical approach, utilizing a questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. The questionnaire included sections measuring modern communication technology usage, exposure to foreign content, digital national participation, and national identity formation, in addition to collecting demographic information. The research sample consisted of 160 young people aged 18–32 years from diverse educational backgrounds and employment statuses. The results demonstrated strong, statistically significant positive correlations between the level of modern communication technology usage, digital national participation, and national identity formation. Conversely, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between intensive exposure to foreign content and national identity formation. Furthermore, the results indicated that higher educational levels among young people enhance their ability to critically evaluate digital content, thus contributing to the preservation of national identity and the resilience against external cultural influences.

Author Biographies

  • Hassan Matar Alshahrani

    PhD Researcher, Digital Media and Communication Technology, College of Arts and Sciences, Ahlia University, Bahrain

  • Zuhair Hassan Daif

    Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, Ahlia University, Bahrain

References

المراجع العربية:

1. Al-Harbi, M. (2022) وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي وتعزيز الهوية الوطنية لدى الشباب السعودي. مجلة العلوم الإنسانية والاجتماعية، 14(3) ,112–139.

2. Al-Juhani, R. (2024) الخطاب الوطني في وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي: دراسة تحليلية لتطبيق سناب شات. مجلة الإعلام الرقمي العربي، 6(1) ,25–48.

3. Al-Khaldi, A. (2023). Digital public sphere in the Arab world. Amman: Dar Al-Fikr.

4. Al-Otaibi, R. (2022). Social media and national belonging among Saudi youth. Journal of Arab Communication Studies, 18(2), 55–72.

5. Mustafa, A. (2012) الهوية الوطنية في ظل تكنولوجيا الإعلام والاتصال الحديثة. المجلة الجزائرية للعلوم السياسية.

6. الجهني، عبد الرحمن. (2024). أثر الإعلام الرقمي على تعزيز الانتماء الوطني لدى طلاب الجامعات السعودية. مجلة جامعة أم القرى للدراسات الاجتماعية، 9 77–101.

7. حجازي، ر. (2022). تأثير وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي على القيم والانتماء الوطني. مجلة العلوم الإنسانية، جامعة دمشق.

8. رؤية السعودية 2030. (2021). وثيقة الرؤية الوطنية. الرياض.

9. عبد الرحمن، ع. (2021). أثر التكنولوجيا الحديثة على الهوية اللغوية لدى الشباب العربي. مجلة دراسات الإعلام العربي، 9 88–110.

10. عبد الله، م. (2023). الشباب العربي والهوية الرقمية. بيروت: مركز دراسات الشباب العربي.

11. عبد الله، ن. (2023). الهوية الوطنية في الفضاء الرقمي. مجلة الفكر العربي المعاصر، 4477–95.

12. وزارة الثقافة السعودية. (2021) رؤية الثقافة 2030: الهوية الوطنية في الفضاء الرقمي. الرياض: وزارة الثقافة.

13. وزارة الثقافة. (2023) مبادرات الهوية الوطنية الرقمية. الرياض: وزارة الثقافة.

المراجع الأجنبية:

1. Ahmad, M., & Awad, H. (2023). Social media and its impact on promoting the national identity of university students in Saudi Arabia. Arab Media Journal.

2. Al-Anzi, F. (2022). National identity and globalization in the Saudi digital society. Riyadh: King Saud University Press.

3. Al-Khalifa, A. (2023). Social media influence on national identity among Arab youth. Arab Media Journal.

4. Al-Mutairi, F. (2024). National belonging in the digital era: The Saudi experience. Riyadh: Institute for Social Studies.

5. Al-Qahtani, M. (2023). Digital communication and youth identity in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh: King Saud University Press.

6. Bhabha, H. (2020). The location of culture in the digital era. London: Routledge.

7. Castells, M. (2012). Networks of outrage and hope. Oxford University Press.

8. Castells, M. (2021). The power of networks: Communication, identity, and globalization. Oxford University Press.

9. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2020). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE.

10. Hegazy, R. (2022) تأثير وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي على القيم والانتماء الوطني. مجلة العلوم الإنسانية، جامعة دمشق.

11. Kumar, S. (2021). Youth, technology, and cultural belonging in the digital age. Routledge.

12. Rogers, E. (2021). Communication technology and diffusion of innovations. New York: Free Press.

13. Smith, A. (2020). National identity and modern society. Cambridge University Press.

14. Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach’s alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53–55.

15. Turkle, S. (2017). Alone together: Why we expect more from technology and less from each other. Basic Books.

Downloads

Published

2026-02-15

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

The impact of modern communication technology on building national identity among youth in Saudi Arabia as a case study. (2026). The International Journal of Educational Sciences and Arts, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.59992/IJESA.2026.v5n2p10