Title: Internet usage among Arab adolescents: preliminary findings

Authors: Kathy Ning Shen; Maha Shakir

Addresses: University of Wollongong in Dubai, P.O. Box 20183, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ' Zayed University, P.O. Box 4783 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract: In this study, we take an exploratory approach to examine the internet usage among Arabic youth, and its impact on their identity development. Seventy four students from two universities in the UAE, one public and the other private, participated in the survey and structured interviews. We found that internet usage patterns were diverse with five main activities (searching, emailing, chatting, entertainment, and online discussions) accounting for 75% of internet usage. Furthermore, a signification positive impact on self-perception of young Arabic students in the Middle East was observed.

Keywords: internet usage; self-perception; Arab adolescents; Arab youth; Arab young people; Middle East; identity development; Arab students; web searching; emailing; chatting; entertainment; online discussions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2012.045420

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2012 Vol.11 No.2, pp.147 - 159

Published online: 28 Nov 2014 *

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