“Cyberactivism” in the Arab Spring: what social media can and cannot do

This article discusses the role of social media, especially the process of “cyberactivism” or the deployment of new media mostly by young people to enact political transformation, as demonstrated during the wave of political upheaval, widely referred to as the “Arab Spring” or “Arab Awakening,” since 2011. It explores the potential of utilizing social media as tools for political activism, by providing concrete examples illustrating the contributions and influence social media had on the political and social transformations across various Arab countries. Simultaneously, it examines the limitations of these media’s actual roles and contributions in the Arab uprisings.