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The status of social media across the globe

Social media in America is frequently viewed as a series of fads: FaceBook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and many others all give users the option of showcasing what’s important in various aspects of their lives. All of them, however, are seen as playful, allowing for banter, sharing jokes, and calling people out on social faux pas.

In other countries, however, these websites are viewed much differently. The protests in Egypt in 2011 relied heavily on social media by using, as one activist described it, “Facebook to schedule the protests, Twitter to coordinate, and YouTube to tell the world.” Social media was also used in the protests in Libya in the same year, to counteract the peaceful and patriotic messages put forth by the state-run television and radio channels. Inundated with such propaganda, dissatisfied citizens took to Twitter and other sites to show the reality of their daily lives.

In Ukraine, Facebook is playing a central role in the organization of ongoing protests. Users post maps of places to get food, drinks, and a warm place to rest, as well as strategies for avoiding provocation by government agents and offers of other legal assistance. Despite a lack of coverage by national news channels, social media allows citizens who are feeling repressed to reach out and gather support and attention from the international community.

The use of social media to express discontent isn’t limited to countries with active uprisings, however. Saudi Arabia, a country facing relative political peace, posts 150 million tweets per month- just over 30% of the total tweets posted worldwide. When asked why, citizens responded that, “it provides a space for freedom without censorship,” and that “people need an outlet to express themselves, to start to disclose what is hidden, and drop the masks without fear…” Far from being just a fad or a place to stay in touch with friends, social media in many countries is seen as a way to open discourse on taboo topics without being censored.

Of course, just as social media users in the U.S. use FaceBook and Twitter to talk about and respond to serious topics from school shootings to natural disasters, social media users in other countries aren’t always organizing protests; they, too, use social networks to talk with friends and as generally a place to relax.

Do you use social media as a place to catch up with friends, as a place to talk about important issues, or do you not use social media at all? Let us know in the comments below!

Nisar_Nikzad

NISAR NIKZAD

Nisar, the dynamic force behind Translation Excellence, stands tall as its founder and CEO. This isn’t just any company—it’s a global heavyweight in boutique language services. Hailing from the vibrant city of Kabul, Afghanistan, Nisar brought his passion and expertise to the U.S. shores in 2001. In the realm of languages, he’s a titan. With 19 years under his belt, he’s worn hats from a linguist and instructor to a cultural bridge-builder and curriculum craftsman.

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