TY - GEN
T1 - Impact of Social Media Algorithms on Community and Cultural Identity
T2 - 10th International Congress on Information and Communication Technology, ICICT 2025
AU - Youssef, Enaam
AU - Al Malek, Mahra
AU - Yousif, Nagwa Babiker
AU - Abdellatif, Soumaya
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Social media algorithms are important in suggesting content aligned with users' needs. The relevant technology suggests content and ensures its suitability and relevance to users. Consequently, it is considered an important aspect of everyday life in enhancing community and cultural identity among youth. This research examines the effect of social media algorithms on the community and cultural identity of the young generation in the United Arab Emirates. Theoretically supported by Social Identity Theory, this research gathered data from 341 respondents using structured questionnaires. Results indicated that Social Media Algorithms positively affect Community Identity, implying that these platforms promote a sense of belonging by connecting them to local groups, discussions, and events, strengthening their cultural and social community ties. Results also revealed that the effects of social media algorithms on cultural identity remain positively significant. These findings indicate that social media content improves connection to cultural heritage and shapes cultural identity perceptions, although algorithms sometimes prioritize global over local practices. Overall, these results indicate a robust influence of social media in the UAE as a factor enabling the young generation to seek community identity and cultural belonging, which further helps them retain their overall social identity in the best possible manner. Study findings and limitations are discussed accordingly.
AB - Social media algorithms are important in suggesting content aligned with users' needs. The relevant technology suggests content and ensures its suitability and relevance to users. Consequently, it is considered an important aspect of everyday life in enhancing community and cultural identity among youth. This research examines the effect of social media algorithms on the community and cultural identity of the young generation in the United Arab Emirates. Theoretically supported by Social Identity Theory, this research gathered data from 341 respondents using structured questionnaires. Results indicated that Social Media Algorithms positively affect Community Identity, implying that these platforms promote a sense of belonging by connecting them to local groups, discussions, and events, strengthening their cultural and social community ties. Results also revealed that the effects of social media algorithms on cultural identity remain positively significant. These findings indicate that social media content improves connection to cultural heritage and shapes cultural identity perceptions, although algorithms sometimes prioritize global over local practices. Overall, these results indicate a robust influence of social media in the UAE as a factor enabling the young generation to seek community identity and cultural belonging, which further helps them retain their overall social identity in the best possible manner. Study findings and limitations are discussed accordingly.
KW - Community identity
KW - Cultural identity
KW - Social identity theory
KW - Social media algorithms
KW - Structural equation modeling
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105023952474
U2 - 10.1007/978-981-96-6432-0_4
DO - 10.1007/978-981-96-6432-0_4
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:105023952474
SN - 9789819664313
T3 - Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems
SP - 43
EP - 54
BT - Proceedings of 10th International Congress on Information and Communication Technology - ICICT 2025
A2 - Yang, Xin-She
A2 - Sherratt, Simon
A2 - Dey, Nilanjan
A2 - Joshi, Amit
PB - Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Y2 - 18 February 2025 through 21 February 2025
ER -