Digital citizenship and social media impact on Saudi family cohesion: A vision 2030 perspective

Abstract

The rapid surge of information in the digital era has significantly impacted social life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In response, digital citizenship has emerged as a topic of considerable discussion, primarily centered around social networking programs. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of digital citizenship, addressing pertinent issues for both citizens and policymakers in Saudi Arabia. Employing a descriptive approach, the research seeks to gauge the level of awareness among social media program users in the Kingdom concerning the dimensions of digital citizenship within the framework of Vision 2030. The findings reveal that the development of digital citizenship in Saudi Arabia faces obstacles, primarily arising from the improper use of technology. Key elements of digital citizenship in the country encompass digital literacy, digital ethics, digital access, and digital participation. Moreover, the study indicates that male and female respondents possess a moderate level of awareness regarding these facets of digital citizenship. As a recommendation, the research advocates for the expansion of digital citizenship studies into various disciplines, such as education, law, engineering, medicine, management, computer science, economics, and psychology.