The Societal Impacts of Using Social Network Services on UAE Public (Main Project)
1. The Societal Impacts of Using Social Network Services on UAE Public
A Graduation Project
Submitted to the Department of Communication Studies and Languages
Abu Dhabi University
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirement for the Degree of
Bachelor of Arts
Nishat Sonia Ahmed
1023746
Abu Dhabi University
2014 – 2015
2. 2
Acknowledgement
I would like to take the opportunity to express my special thanks to my supervisor Dr. Shiyong
Peng for his great efforts of supervising and leading me throughout the project. Also, I would
like to extend my greatest appreciation to my friends and families for their best abilities to guide
me for gathering evidences and for persuading me to focus deeply on this research project;
therefore, I wish them all the best in their lives.
Nishat Sonia Ahmed
3. 3
Abstract
Today, UAE has been found that it reached to one of the highest rates of using the most
prominent social networking services throughout the world. Indeed, when using any source of
social networking services do assist every person to be socially connected and preserve rich
interpersonal ties with their beloved ones in this present generation. On the other hand to study
more deeply, the youths and the young adults are the ones who are earnestly affected for using
the social networking services because of their mishandling technique of using them. Ordinarily,
they are exceedingly addicted on using these notable social networking services: Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram, Google +, What Sapp, Black Berry (BBM), Facebook Messenger, You
Tube and Mobile Calls + SMS. By operating some of these or all of them together describe the
degree of adjustment tone when encountering dire cases. This is to clear up that the adjustment
level differs when using any of these services among the youths and the young adults, as they are
confronted unanticipated cases. For instance, it is usually observed among the teenagers
expresses a sign of stubbornness, frustration and aggressiveness emotions when facing
unexpected outcomes. They get stumbled with adjusting any unexpected outcomes in a tactful
way. Therefore, this is by how their hearts get burst whenever they are impotent to respond to
these unexpected cases in a tactful way because of cluttering with unnecessary expectations on
their minds. As the intolerance on adjusting to these cases deepens when using services among
them, the more they are diagnosed with acute anxiety disorders that shape into depressions,
apprehensions and suicides. According to Arab Social Media Report, UAE has the highest rate of
Facebook penetration, which is mostly dominated by males in the Arab Region; at the same time,
UAE is ranked as the 7th
highest Facebook penetration rate in the world. In most cases, 40% of
females are cyber bullied online through Facebook when the males demand females for vicious
4. 4
roles to accomplish. Every day, females are threatened with receiving bulk BBM messages,
What Sapp messages, Facebook Messenger messages, SMS and phone calls by the blackmailers
mostly covers the male population. Females who are aged in between 13-21 receive disturbing
phone calls from unknown spoof callers. Afterwards, when the females receive disturbing phone
calls in every hour, some of them attempt to make a straight decision for committing suicides,
and others are detected with drastic fear where they become phobophobia patients. This case is
considered as one of the major issues among all the youths and the young adults living in UAE;
particularity, those who are dependent on using wide ranges of social networking services, and
now it is no longer acceptable of hearing all these horrendous health effects escalation.
It is time to assemble for gathering resolutions for minimizing the rate of anxiety disorders
preventing from entering the final stage where the health conditions score into depressions,
apprehensions and suicides. Otherwise, the rate of developing anxiety disorders will be
everlasting among these target victims if there shows no sign of running for applying austere
actions both by the individuals and by the governmental authorities.
5. 5
Social Networking Services Power House Operates
Figure 1: Social Networking Services bringing negative outcomes
6. 6
Social Networking Services Generates
Figure 2: A lady in a depression Figure 3: Suicide
Figure 3: Behavioral effects of Social Networking Services
7. 7
Table of Contents
Acknowledgement…………………………………………………………………………….....2
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………….. . ..3-4
Social Networking Services Power House Operates…………………………………………..5
Social Networking Services generates………………………………………………………....6
Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………........7-8
List of Figures................................................................................................................................9
List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………………....10
List of Charts…………………………………………………………………………….…...…11
Chapter 1: Introduction……………………………………………………………………..…12
1.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………...12
1.2 Social Networking Services in the Middle East and in UAE………………………........15
Chapter 2: Body………………………………………………………………………….……17
2.1 The procedures of the results collection…………………………………………………..…17
2.2 Literature Reviews…………………………………………………………………………..17
2.2.1 Beat the bully…………………………………………………………………………..17
2.2.2 Distracted Driving- It is time for public health to step in…………………………..…18
2.2.3 “Whats App”rapist given 10 years in prison by Dubai Court…………………………19
2.3. Paper Survey Results & Analysis: Social Networking Services „effect through mobile
penetration on UAE
Public……………………………….…………………………………………………………....19
2.3.1 Survey results & analysis: Tables……………………………………………..………20
2.3.2 Survey results & analysis: Charts……………………………………………..………21
2.4 Online Survey Results & Analysis: Social Networking Services „effect through mobile
penetration on UAE Public…………………………………………………………………...….29
2.4.1Online Survey Results & Analysis: Survey Monkey……………………………...……30
9. 9
List of Figures
Figure 1 (Social Networking Services Power House Operates)…………………………..………5
Figure 2 (A lady in a depression)………………………………………………………………….6
Figure 3 (Suicide)…………………………………………………………………………………6
Figure 4 (Behavioral effect of social networking services)……………………………………….6
Figure 5 (Conversion on Whats App)…………………………………………………….……...34
Figure 6 (Conversion on Whats App)……………………………………………………………34
Figure 7 (Conversion on Whats App)……………………………………………………………34
10. 10
List of Tables
Table 1 (Gender)…………………………………………………………………..…………….20
Table 2 (Age Range)…………………………………………………………………………….20
Table 3 (Nationality)…………………………………………………………………….………21
11. 11
List of Charts
Chart 1 (Internet package monthly)…………………………………………………………..…22
Chart 2 (Top preferable social networking sites)…………………………………………….….22
Chart 3 (Time spend daily on preferable social networking sites)……………………………....22
Chart 4 (Top preferable social networking services- instant chat)……………………………....23
Chart 5 (Viewing profiles)…………………………………………………………………….…23
Chart 6 (Uploading selfie pictures)……………………………………………………………....23
Chart 7 (Boasting status likes)……………………………………………………………..…….24
Chart 8 (Sharing feelings)………………………………………………………………………..24
Chart 9 (Expressing opinions)…………………………………………………………………...24
Chart 10 (Spreading rumors)………………………………………………...…………………..24
Chart 11(Publishing news)………………………………………………………………………25
Chart 12 (Raising Campaign‟s awareness)………………………………………………………25
Chart 13 (Gaining Knowledge)……………………………………………………………….…25
Chart 14 (Lifestyle criticism)…………………………………………………………………….26
Chart 15 (Disturbing phone calls)………………………………………………………………..26
Chart 16 (Text messages sent late insult)……………………………………………………......26
Chart 17 (Offensive messages inbox receive)…………………………………………………...26
Chart 18 (Offensive comments pictures/videos upload receive)………………………………...27
Chart 19 (Privacy evasion)………………………………………………………………….……27
Chart 20 (Concentration problems)………………………………………………………….…..27
Chart 21 (Lost relationship with contacts)……………………………………………………….27
Chart 22 (Forced to compete with others)…………………………………………………….…28
Chart 23 (The top social networking services create stress)…………………………………..…29
Chart 24 (Physical symptoms)………………………………………………………………...…29
12. 12
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Introduction
Today, Generation Z (successful inventor of modern digital technologies) is known as an
unimaginative advanced digital generation where there is no person either wealthy or destitute
cannot breathe without purchasing internet packages, mobile phones and other digital technology
devices in this world. This is the only generation (emerge from the start of 21st
Century) licenses
to give access to absorb riveting entertainment features, which fosters every human specially the
young ages to socialize, interact, greatly educate, distribute plenty of leisure, amuse,
independent, alter working fashion, upgrade reputation and reveal ones‟ true identity. It is
generally propelling a group of young population to manipulate using the new media
technologies bringing the nature of intense addiction among them rather than significantly
encouraging them using the traditional media technologies.
During the period of the new media technologies‟ series of inventions, one of the potential
electronic devices stimulates the internet users to use all the application of the internet is the
local area wireless technology (Wi-Fi). Since the Wi-Fi wireless connection is available
everywhere the visitors presumably expose their recreations even in the rapid public transits,
much of the time is spent scrolling behind the social networking services through the internet
connection via Wi-Fi by the internet users. Here is by how everyone becomes addicted in an
uncontrollable manner when operating the social networking sites. During gloomy night times,
the smart phone users rush to check all the text messages received from What Sapp, Black Berry
Messenger and Facebook Messenger instead of being self-restraint for responding text messages
until next morning. As a result, these users take a glimpse of dreams that evoke back to the
conversion what they have, while texting during night times because of no sleep during night
13. 13
times. After that, they become ineffectual from concentrating on regular activities schedule. This
is by how the smart phone users experience numerous vulnerable health effects from where they
cannot escape for a long period.
According to the Global Digital Statistics 2014, the total population of internet penetration is
2, 484,915,152 that weighs in the urban areas 52% and in the rural areas 48% across the
globe. In addition to the World‟s total population of internet penetration record, the total number
of energetic mobile subscribers across the globe is 6,572,950,124 comprising the smart phone
subscribers and the cell phone (non-smartphone) subscribers. In 2008, a conceptual review was
conducted for researching the distinctive perceptions that trigger the adolescents to blindly
manipulate the social networking services. According to this review, 55% of the adolescents
(whether youths or young adults) center their focus on publishing posts on blogs such as on
Twitter, Facebook, Google + and on some other blogging sites throughout the world. Literally,
these posts are published on blogs sites for describing ones‟ current feelings, attitudes,
ideologies, motives, behavioral actions, opinions, personal traits, personal matters and moods in
every minute. Hence, right at the moment when the words of the adolescents are published from
their blogs, all their friends particularly those who are added in their circles unroll rumors to
others & to strangers. In addition to publishing posts from the blogging sites by adolescents, the
profile pictures uploaded on Facebook, Google +, What Sapp, Black Berry Messenger and on
many other social networking sites are converted into detesting (sometimes naked or disgusted)
themes where the whole world misunderstands wholly these adolescents whose profile pictures
are hacked. Here is now where all the obnoxious tittle-tattles begin between friend circles
towards the route where ones‟ self-identity gets devastated forever, and the devoted kinship
comes to a dead end where there is no single way to get a single source of respect from the
14. 14
community members. At last, as the maximum quantities of adolescents enter into these cases
where there is no chance for building reputation, some attempt to commit suicides, some are
possessed with serious depressions and some are assassinated by their loved ones once they
misunderstand them for their deeds.
At the present time, there are approximately 24 exceptional countries discovered to be
overly dependent on using any types of social networking services through manipulating smart
phones as a consequence of free Wi-Fi availability everywhere. These 24 countries: Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico,
Nigeria, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, Thailand,
United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States concluded as high GDP ranking
countries and status oriented countries in the world. In 2014, it seems that United Arab Emirates
(UAE) has the highest internet penetration ranking in the Middle East, and it is positioned as the
5th
highest internet penetration country in the world. The countries that are ranked as for an
excessive internet penetration rate, this is to describe that more than 80% of the internet users
calculated from the total population are instinctively dependent for operating all the social
networking services. Not only UAE is positioned for one of the top highest internet penetration
countries in worldwide but also UAE is positioned as for the highest mobile usage with
accessing internet ranking country in worldwide. This repercussion of UAE‟s internet
penetration ranking for visiting the social networking sites has raised unbearable behavioral
effects among the youths and the young adults.
The aim of this project is to investigate the behavioral causes when using the social
networking services, and the common problems face by the youths and by the young adults when
15. 15
using social networking services. Furthermore, the aim is to find out the motives that lead to the
high rate for operating the social networking services.
1.2 Social Networking Services in the Middle East and In UAE
Presently, it is notified that The Middle East is one of the regions where the internet
penetration shows a rapid growth of 3.7% covering 231, 062, 860 a total population this year. In
an estimation of the Go- Gulf Social Media Statistics report 2014, around forty percent of the
residents in The Middle East get the entrance for browsing the internet due to the fact that the
maximum members of the Middle East Region earn an adequate income where they are eligible
to afford purchasing mobile internet packages and for exposing personal lifestyles. On account of
Arab Spring arise from 18th
December 2010; the protesters have gripped Twitter, Facebook and
YouTube sites for continuously scattering instructions that directed the protesters to apply which
roles to be taken in certain directions and to divulge their controversial views of the political
leaders. For example on the rise of the Egyptian Revolution, the political turmoil began via
generating a Facebook page by an young Egyptian Google Marketing Executive lived in Dubai
called “We are all Khaled Saeed” where all the young Egyptians joined in and expressed their
views of the Egyptian Security forces‟ treatment on the opponents. Ghonim was arrested in
Egypt for the consequence of generating the Facebook page from where the revolution
originated. Not only he displayed a page on Facebook but also he displayed a page on Twitter
named Älshaheed” for raising protesting awareness. As the maximum number of tweets turned
out to be disputable on Twitter at this stage, the Egyptian government blocked Twitter until the
end of the revolution in avoidance of new protesters escalation. Hence, this was a social media
landmark issue evolved among in The Middle East.
16. 16
As mentioned earlier, UAE is ranked in the 1st
position for the highest mobile penetration
rate, while browsing internet in the world. In all outdoor destinations, there is not a single young
adult or youth whose hands are empty when expending time on outdoor bustles. As long as they
are wide awake from an inactive nervous system, they become excessively addicted on using
mobile phones solely for searching text messages. The text messages are sent in nonstop like a
whirlwind from one person to another until it is time for them to go to bed. One feels that if the
messages are not sent on time, then they their relationships get injured from other side just
because of no quick answer. In 2011, a large of number of young adults complained of using
Blackberry (BBM) service all the time. They described Blackberry as disturbing phone brand;
specially during working hours, it mentally distracts anyone‟s mind from concentrating on
something serious. At last, the employees get fired as they do not accomplish their tasks
sincerely for the BBM usage disturbance. ( (Croucher, 2011). This is why something should be
done in UAE in order for stopping any mental/physical disruptions that lead to numerous health
problems. Now this is the project that is profoundly looking for gathering the types of problems
when the youths aged from (11 – 19) and the young adults aged from (20 -45) experience
when using social networking services through mobile regularly and how they affect their health.
All the evidences will be gathered through conducting closed survey questionnaire, open
ended questionnaire and direct & structured observations to the youths & young adults
living in UAE. In the manner how they respond to the questions displayed in the methodologies,
the project will come with solutions of how to lessen the typical social networking services
„handling problems, and to pursue the governmental authorities to implement tough laws on how
the social networking services through mobile should be handled in the right way.
17. 17
Chapter 2: Body
2.1. The Procedures of the Results Collection
Throughout this Senior Project, there are two types of data, which are The Primary Data
and The Secondary Data are collected from the diverse participants across UAE. The Primary
Data encompasses three literature reviews: 1) Beat the Bully, Distracted Driving; 2) It is Time
for Public Health to step in and 3) ‘What Sapp’ Rapist Given 10 years in prison by Dubai
Court. The Secondary Data incorporates all the survey results including both online and paper
survey questionnaires and the direct & structured observation results of using social networking
services experiences by the youth and the young adults in UAE.
2.2. Literature Reviews
2.2.1 Beat the Bully
In the past few years, there were countless numbers of incidents of cyber bullies
occurrences through operating social media sites reported on the teens and on the young adults in
Dubai, UAE. Normally, the youths those who are aged in between 14 -18 are bullied through the
social media online sites where they often receive unwanted messages on their accounts‟
inboxes. A thirty five year old British campaigner erected a campaign awareness called “Beat the
Bully” in order to prevent the teens and the young adults from getting cyber bullied and
tormented by the strangers. These cases of cyber bullies are mostly derived from Facebook,
YouTube and Twitter. In one of the cyber bullies cases, a twelve year old teen did not go to his
school for three days because all his classmates‟ tittle tattled behind him due to a bully who
uploaded a fake story about his personality on Facebook. As a result, he was feeling mentally ill
18. 18
when he woke up one morning before joining his school. In conclusion, the activities of cyber
bullies occur through dispersing 1 – 200 gossips online within a minute. Approximately around
thirty five percent of teens are terrorized through the social media sites across UAE daily. In part
of the cyber bully victims, girls are reported to be targeted painfully 2 times than the boys
because of their flawless beauties. Dubai faces the highest rate of cyber bully occurrences than
the other Emirates in an effect of a huge demographic population. In order for the countless
numbers of cyber bullies to be lessoned in UAE, the government authorities must find a way of
how they can track the bullies online very quickly and must warn the victims for protecting
themselves against them. (Kids, 2014).
2.2.2 Distracted Driving – It is time for public health to step in
In 2013, the co – editor of the Journal of Public Health Policy, Anthony Robbins, has
administered a case study on the taxi drivers those who send text messages through BBM
Service while driving in UAE. Mr. Robbins gathered evidences of two taxi drivers had car
accidents in due to texting instant BBM messages on the highways in 2011. They were not
paying sharp attentions in sideways just to check whether there were any dangers on the
highways or not. At the moment, when the taxi drivers were receiving messages that distracted
their concentrations on driving, their vehicles crashed fatally on the highways. From this point of
these two fatal car accidents, the Police Commission of UAE have entirely disconnected the
BBM Service across the nation in order for minimizing the disastrous car accidents for three
days . Following this disconnection of the BBM Service in across the nation, the total number of
car accidents has been deescalated by forty percent in UAE. In brief, the Police Commission of
UAE has implemented the right decision for blocking BBM Services three days, and this
initiative is guiding the taxi drivers not to use the mobile phones during working hours, and they
19. 19
are starting to realize how insecure it is for using mobile phones while driving specially on
highways. (Robbins, 2013).
2.2.3 “WhatsApp” rapist given 10 years in prison by Dubai Court
A young Emirati lived in Dubai was raped by the brutal hands of her lover after the conversion
on Whats App for several days. This strange man had pickled this lady in order to collect
personal information about her background and about her social status. She has been receiving
many disturbing unwanted messages on Whats App, and this man asked this lady one day to
attend to an outdoor gathering with the lady. So she did and was driven to such a location where
no one was there and got raped. This man has been sentenced for 10 years in jail. (Baik, 2015)
In a horrifying case
2.3. Paper Survey Results & Analysis: Social Networking Services ‘effect through mobile
penetration on UAE Public
All through the project, there were around 50 copies of paper survey distributed to the youth
and to the young adults in UAE. The number of copies was distributed to Abu Dhabi
University’s students aged in between 18 – 24 years largely, to Santana Driving School’s staff
aged from 25 & above and to friends, family members and relatives living across UAE. The
copies of questionnaires were circulated to the respondents of these specialized destinations due
to several basis. First of all, Abu Dhabi University is the university where I am currently
studying for the BA in Mass Communication, and I distributed approximately 25 copies of paper
survey to the female random students studying at Abu Dhabi University in Abu Dhabi campus.
Second, I distributed 10 copies of paper survey to the Santana Driving School‟s staff for the
reason that I am currently taking practical road classes under the authority of the school‟s
instructors. Third, I distributed 15 copies of paper survey to my friends/relatives living in Dubai,
20. 20
Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Also, I handed over the copies to my mother, father and to my neighbor
living in Abu Dhabi. Hence, this adds into a total of 50 survey papers, and now all the results &
analysis are disclosed concerning the impact of using Social Network Services responded by the
youth and the young adults living in UAE unfolded in the 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 sections.
2.3.1 Survey results & analysis: Tables
In this section, the results are reported of the total number of male & female, age range and
nationality respondents who completed the survey papers from Abu Dhabi University, Santana
Driving School and friends/relatives & family members in 3 different sets of tables. In table 1, all
the male & female numbers of respondents are recorded out of 50. In table 2, the various age
range from below 10 years – 25 & above years of the respondents are recorded out of 50. In table
3, the results are released of all the continents where the respondents are originally from, and the
total number of respondents categorized under each continent.
Gender Age Range
Below 10
years
Between 11 –
17 years
Between 18 –
24 years
25 & above
7 5 27 11
Table 1: Total respondents of male & female across UAE Table 2: Various age categories ‘respondents
Male Female
21 29
21. 21
Nationality
Asian European Arab African North
American
South
American
Other
12 4 18 5 7 2 2
Table 3: The continents of respondents’ nationality
2.3.2 Survey results & analysis: Charts
In this section, the pattern of survey results differ from the tables displayed above because all the
evidences of the respondents are collected after completing the answers of 12 questions. For
questions 1, 2 and 3, the results are already grouped in the tables 1, 2 and 3, but for rest from
questions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, here are the responses what have been gathered in the
following charts. Let‟s analyze from chart 1 that discusses the results the respondents those who
consume the monthly internet package from the DU or Etisalat telecom services in percentage.
In chart 2, the results are disclosed of the top preferable social networking sites visited by the
respondents daily in percentage. In chart 3, the results are disclosed of the average time spent
while browsing the social networking sites daily by the respondents. In chart 4, the results are
disclosed of the top preferable social networking services (instant chat) used by the respondents
in percentage. From charts 5 – 12, the results are disclosed of the degree of interest for visiting
social networking sites, as the respondents selected their top preferable sites from question 5, and
this is question 8 structured in a likert scale rating from not at all interested – very much
interested (1 -5). The aim of this project is to collect evidences of the possible opinions for
visiting social networking services & how frequent do the respondents face problems when
operating social networking services regularly published by the respondents for question 8 and
22. 22
for question 9 in likert scale rating from never – very frequently (1 -5). From the personal
experiences of the respondents, it can be concluded of the issues that constitutes UAE ranking as
the 5th
highest nation for mobile penetration in the world.
Chart 1: Popularity of UAE telecom services’ internet package Chart 2: Top preferable Social Networking Sites
Chart 3: Time spend daily on preferable social networking sites by the total respondents
48%
26%
26%
Internet
Package
Monthly
Du
Etisalat
No
26%
21%
15%
26%
7%
2% 3%
Top preferrable Social
Networking Sites
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Google+
MySpace
Tumblr
9
13
16
12
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Less than
30mins
1 hr Between 1 -3
hrs
More than 3
hrs
Time spend daily on preferable social
networking sites
Time spend daily on
preferable social networking
sites
23. 23
Chart 4: Top preferable social networking services (Instant Chat)
Chart 4: The total respondents’ interest for viewing profiles
Chart 6: The total respondents’ interest for uploading selfie pictures
19%
18%
29%
14%
1%
19%
Top preferable Social Networking Services
(Instant Chat)
Facebook Messenger
BBM (Black Berry Messenger)
Whats App
Facebook
Tumblr
Other
0
5
10
15
Notatallinterested
Notveryinterested
Neutral
Somewhatinterested
Verymuchinterested
10
7 8
12 13
Uploading selfie
pictures
Uploading
selfie pictures
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
3
7
11
14
15
Viewing profiles
Viewing profiles
24. 24
Chart 7: The total respondents’ interest for boasting status likes Chart 8: The total respondents’ interest for sharing feelings
Chart 9: The total respondents’ interest for expressing opinions Chart 10: The total respondents’ interest for spreading rumors
8 9
15
8
10
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Boasting status likes
Boasting
status likes
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
11
8
5
13 13
Sharing feelings
Sharing
feelings
0
5
10
15
6
9
11 12 12
Expressing opinions
Expressing
opinion
0
5
10
15
20
Notatallinterested
Notveryinterested
Neutral
Somewhatinterested
Verymuchinterested
18
9 8
12
3
Spreading rumors
Spreading
rumors
25. 25
Chart 11: The total respondents’ interest for publishing news Chart 12: The total respondents’ interest for raising campaign
Awareness
Chart 13: The total respondents’ interest for gaining knowledge
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
7
12
9
7
Publishing news
Publishing
news
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Notatallinterested
Notveryinterested
Neutral
Somewhatinterested
Verymuchinterested
12
5
10
13
10
Raising
campaigns'awareness
Raising
campaigns'awareness
0
5
10
15
20
25
2 4 7
16
21
Gaining knowledge
Gaining knowledge
26. 26
Chart 14: The total respondents’ lifestyle criticism Chart 15: The total respondents ’disturbing phone calls
Chart 16: The total respondents’ of being insulted for sending text messages late Chart 17: The total respondents’ receive
Offensive messages inbox
6
15
9
4
16
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
lifestyle criticism
Crtisized
lifestyle 7
11
7 7
18
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Disturbing phone
calls receive
Disturbing
phone calls
receive
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Never
Rarely
Occasionally
Frequently
VeryFrequently
8
10
13
5
14
Text messages sent
late insult
Text messages
sent late insult
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Never
Rarely
Occasionally
Frequently
VeryFrequently
13
6
8 9
14
Offensive messages
inbox receive
Offensive
messages
inbox receive
27. 27
Chart 18: The total respondents’ of offensive comments pictures/videos upload receive Chart 19: The total respondents’ of
Privacy evasion
Chart 20: The total respondents’ concentration problems Chart 21: The total respondents’ of lost relationship with contacts
0
5
10
15
20
Never
Rarely
Occasionally
Frequently
VeryFrequently
9
14 16
6 5
Offensive comments
pictures/videos
upload receive
Offensive
comments
pictures/video
s upload
receive
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
10
14
7 6
13
Privacy evasion
Privacy
evasion
7
13
7
10
13
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Concentration
problems
Concentration
problems
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
9
11
12
9 9
Lost relationships with
contacts
Lost
relationships
with contacts
28. 28
Chart 22: The total respondents’ forced to compete with others
These were all the charts emphasized about the experiences/problems of the respondents for
questions 8 & 9 from charts 1 – 21. There were 3 more questions structured in the paper survey,
but the last one that is related to the respondents‟ suggestions for reducing social networking
services‟ problem will not be shared in the body because each respondent has distinct
suggestions that cannot be analyzed specifically; instead, the answers will be briefly shared in
the conclusion just to give an idea what do the respondents feel about this issue in UAE.
Therefore, for the last 2 charts 22 & 23, the results will be exhibited of the top social networking
services that create stress among the participants every day. In an effect of using selected social
networking services as referred to question 10, the results will be disclosed of the physical
symptoms of stress, which the respondents either experience or not every day when using mobile
phones.
9 9
8
13
11
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Never Rarely Occasionally Frequently Very
Frequently
Forced to compete with others
Forced to compete with others
29. 29
Chart 23: The top Social Networking Services create stress Chart 24: The respondents’ physical symptoms of stress
2.4 Online Survey Results & Analysis: Social Networking Services ‘effect through mobile
penetration on UAE Public
In addition to the copies of paper survey distribution, the online survey was conducted to the
youth and to the young adults living in UAE due to the fact that the paper survey was not always
reachable to those with whom I do not get the chance to interact by face to face. In fact, it was
not possible to kindly request to those who do not live in the same city and in the same place
where I study because they reside in other Emirates of UAE. Moreover, the online survey was
distributed to the international chains where it was completely not manageable to distribute other
types of survey rather than online because I do not have any connections with the staff members.
Therefore, the online survey was the only route to reach respondents who were detached and
who were random members of a particular community. In order to pass the online survey copies
to the targeted respondents through the social media, the same survey (questions) that was
25%
10%
18%
14%
6%
17%
10%
The top Social
Networking Services
create stress
Facebook
Twitter
Whats App
BBM
Instagram
Mobile calls
Other
58%
42%
Physical symptoms
Yes
No
30. 30
conducted for the paper was distributed from 2 main demanding survey websites: The Survey
Monkey and The Survey Planet. The copies of online survey could have been passed out from
1 survey website only. On the other hand, it was not practicable at all because on one of the
survey websites, which is The Survey Monkey, does not allow more than 10 questions to be
created online, and the total number of survey questions were 12 designed for this project.
Besides this situation, if there were more than 10 questions constructed on Survey Monkey, the
cost of per copy of survey is AED: 99, which was not at all affordable from this project side.
Therefore, there was another top ranking online survey website chosen that was The Survey
Planet, where there is no boundary for creating unlimited number of questions. After designing
the set of survey questions on Survey Monkey, there were 10 questions, which was also asked
for the paper survey structured online, and again, 50 copies were passed out to friends studying
at Abu Dhabi University, relatives, family friends across UAE and to staff members
holding job titles at Fujeirah Rotana Hotel, H& M, Four Seasons Resort Dubai & Etisalat
users. The total number of respondents for filling out the survey from 2 websites is 35 out of 50.
The copies were transferred to these targeted respondents via Twitter, Whats App, BBM,
Facebook and Google +.
2.4.1 Online Survey Results & Analysis: Survey Monkey
For the Survey Monkey online survey website, the copy of questionnaire was handed over to
15 audiences who were mostly family friends living in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Also, it
was handed over to the male students studying at Abu Dhabi University. Out of the 15 copies
requested for filling the questionnaire, only 8 respondents have completed the online survey on
this website. It is assumed that the rest maybe because of some respondents either did not get the
time to do so or maybe have been interested for filling online surveys. According to the results
31. 31
disclosed from the Survey Monkey website, 75% were female and 25% were male to respond
to this online survey. Majority of respondents aged from 18 -24 years and minority were aged
from 11-17 years. All these respondents rated Facebook (87. 50) and Instagram (87.50) as the
top 2 visited social networking sites when operated from mobile phones. Whats App is rated as
the highest social networking service for an instant chat that accounts 100%. It is rated that the
majority of the respondents visit social networking sites for the purpose of expressing opinion
about themselves to their contacts. The weighted average is 3.57/5. Most of the respondents
rated that they lost relationships with their contacts through the social networking sites. The
weighted average is 3.13/5. Facebook, Whats App and BBM are 3 of the top social
networking services create stress on the respondents. Over here, the respondents commented that
they do not necessarily develop any negative physical symptoms when using mobile phones. The
last question 10 cannot be analyzed because different respondents submitted different responses
of suggestions for the social networking services handling/ stress symptoms problem.
2.4.2 Online Survey Results & Analysis: Survey Planet
For the Survey Planet online survey website, a total of 35 electronic copies were handed
over to the friends studying at Abu Dhabi University, family friends and to the staff
members holding job titles at The Fujeirah Rotana Hotel, The Four Seasons Resort Dubai,
H & M UAE and to the Etisalat Users via Twitter, Whats App, BBM, Facebook and Google
+. Out of 35 electronic copies sent via social media sites, 27 of the respondents filled out the
survey copies. Again for the rest maybe not have been filled for the fact that either the
respondents did not understand the language of the questions or they did not get the time to
complete the questionnaire. It seems that the majority of the respondents were interested in to
complete the survey from the Survey Planet website rather than the Survey Monkey, and the
32. 32
same questions from 1 -12 designed for the paper survey asked on this website. According to the
results collected from this website, 77% were the female respondents, and 23% were the male
respondents. Majority of the respondents aged from 18 -24 years and from below 10 years.
42% of the respondents are consuming monthly internet package from DU Telecom Services,
but they did not mention specifically what type of internet package do they consumer & how
much being paid. Facebook (27%) and Instagram (27%) are the top 2 visited social
networking sites operated through mobile phones by the respondents during leisure times. While
browsing into the top social networking sites, the maximum respondents spend from between 1 -
3 hours (40. 74%) and for more than 3 hours (33.33%) online through mobile phones. Whats
App is ranked as the highest social networking service for the daily usage rated by the
respondents. The average weight is 40.63%. Majority of the respondents visit the social
networking sites for gaining any source of knowledge. The average weight is 16.88%. It has
been that the maximum number of respondents those who scan through the social networking
sites lost relationships with their contacts. The average weight is 12.83%. Facebook
(22.97%), Whats App (22.97%) and Mobile calls (21.62%) are the top 3 social networking
services create stress among the respondents. Unfortunately, majority of the respondents
commented that they experience no physical symptoms of stress while using mobile phones.
The average weight is 38.89%. The last question 12 cannot be analyzed because different
respondents submitted different responses of suggestions for the social networking services
handling/ stress symptoms problem.
2.5 Direct & Structured Observation Results & Analysis
The third type of way where all the results of the targeted responses were collected through the
personal observation and a well-planned observation. This source of methodology was utilized in
33. 33
order to gather more realistic results as compared to the survey questionnaires. In many cases,
the results that are collected through distributing survey questionnaires, the respondents do not
always convince truth about their feelings towards a situation, and many questions are left
uncompleted if the questions do not make sense from the respondents‟ point of view. In relation
to this issue about the societal impacts of using social networking services on UAE, I have come
with quite a lot of evidences where I feel that the majority of the youth and the young adults in
UAE are significantly addicted for using mobile phones by omitting their regular tasks behind.
Not only, they are addicted to using mobile phones but also they attempt to black mail on
someone to their closest friends, enemies and in few cases to someone with whom they have not
have any connections but have seen them before. Here is a case where I am going to discuss
about stranger who tried to chase me by giving me disturbing phone calls and Whats App
messages.
2.5.1 Mobile Calls Results & Analysis
From the beginning of last year, I have received several unwanted calls from someone whom
I have never heard about during the Fall 2013 -2014 Semester when taking one of the night
classes. The person who approached me called from strange number: +971 50 214 1414. At
every time whenever I used to attend to this night class, I received many disturbing calls one day.
Then when I tried to call this person back, she did not even speak a word to my calls but she
received my calls. I wonder who could this person be and why should this person be calling me
with sending her a message on Whats App by inquiring “Who are you?” On her response she
says “Yes Nishat, I‟m with you in Peng‟s class”. Until now, there is no evident who this person
is exactly and what she wants from me. Here are 3 pictures captured in the figures 5, 6 and 7.
34. 34
Figure 5: The conversion on Whats App Figure 6: The conversion on Whats App
Figure 7: The conversion on Whats App
35. 35
Chapter 3: Conclusion
3.1 Conclusion
In conclusion, as there are more advancement of technologies, more and more youth and the
young adults aim to survive with operating mobile phones for at least 3 hours. This is maybe not
be nonstop but for each day and then for again few minutes each day. Presently, those who are
aged between 11 -17 years and between 18 -24 are mostly diagnosed with huge bulk of stress
and with some other physical symptoms, which they experience every day. The purpose of
conducting this project is to investigate the root causes that positioned UAE as having the
highest mobile penetration rate in The Middle East and the 5th
highest mobile penetration rate in
the world. All the results were gathered through displaying both primary and secondary data. The
Primary data accounts for the paper survey that was distributed for 50 copies to Abu Dhabi
University students, Santana Driving School staff and friends/relatives, neighbors & family
members. Also, there were online surveys distributed from 2 different demanding websites:
Survey Monkey and Survey Planet to Abu Dhabi University students, the staff members holding
job titles at The Fujeirah Rotana Hotel, The Four Seasons Resort Dubai, H & M UAE and to the
Etisalat Users via Twitter, Whats App, BBM, Facebook and Google + and to friends. Lastly, the
direct & structured observation was conducted on a person who tried approaching several
disturbing phone calls. On the other hand, the secondary data accounts for all the 3 literature
reviews: Beat the Bully, Distracted Driving – It is time for public health to step in and
“WhatsApp” rapist given 10 years in prison by Dubai Court. According to the results obtained
from both the paper and online surveys, the maximum number of the UAE public are enthusiast
of visiting Facebook and Instagram social networking sites only because of expressing ones‟
opinion, uploading selfie pictures and for viewing others‟ profiles. Because the way how the
36. 36
users of Facebook and Instagram contribute their roles on these sites, many have reported that
they have agonizingly lost their relationships with their contacts. This is result, many reported to
be diagnosed with uncontrollable stress, headache, sleeping problems and concentration
problems while trying to connect themselves into the reality. Whats App and BBM are the 2
major free communication tools that drive the attentions away from conscious and force to send
continuous text messages until sleeping time. Therefore, because of all these reasons to the way
how each individual is engaged with using the social networking services inappropriately
through mobile, they are caught with facing a plenty of health problems and mind distractions
and are unable to distinguish between what is reality and what is the imagine world. Hence, the
government of UAE must look for ways of how to minimize these serious issues and should be
looking forward to implement tough laws that will protect any person from any physical/ mental
injuries.
37. 37
Chapter 4: Recommendation
4.1 Recommendation
In my opinion, I believe that the youth and the young adults specially are affected only
during those periods when they are not aware of the right time to operate the social networking
services and the right way of how to manage using them. As they reveal much of their identities
and unwanted issues to the public, the more their privacies are evaded, and the more others
misunderstand about them, while trying to compete with others. Therefore, I would suggest that
one should be overly blind on using mobile phones when not needed; instead, they must also
learn how to interact socially with others and get involved into those activities that will keep
one‟s health stable & free from dangerous health effects.
38. 38
Bibliography
Baik, E. A. (2015). WhatsApp' rapist given 10 years in prison by Dubai court. Dubai: Emirates 24/7.
Croucher, M. (2011). BlackBerry users consider switching phones. Dubai: The National|UAE.
Kids, T. D. (2014, July 31 ). Beat the Bully . Kelly Ann Crane takes an in-depth look at cyberbullying in the
UAE.
Robbins, A. (2013). Distrated Driving - It is time for public health to step in . Journal of Public Health
Policy , 193 -196 .
39. 39
Appendix A: Paper Survey Questionnaire Sample
Social Networking Services’ effect through mobile penetration on UAE Public Survey
Hello Everyone!! Since UAE has the 5th
highest internet penetration ranking in the world, the young adults & the youths face quite a lot of
problems with using social networking services and face many health problems, as a result. I would highly appreciate for completing this
questionnaire that will take 5mins in order to find out your experiences for social networking services daily.
1. What is you gender?
A. Male
B. Female
2. What is your age?
A. Below 10yrs
B. Between 11 – 17
C. Between 18 – 24
D. 25 & Above
3. What is your nationality?
4. Do you pay for any internet package monthly offered by DU or Etisalat?
A. Yes
B. No
If yes, please specify which one?
5. Out of the following options, which are the three social networking sites do you visit the most?
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instragram
Google +
MySpace
Tumblr
Other (Please Specify)
6. Approximately how much time do you spend daily for browsing on these 3 selected social networking sites? (From question 5)
A. Less than 30 mins
B. 1 hr
C. In between 1 – 3 hrs
D. More than 3 hrs
7. Out of the following options, which are three most preferable social networking services do you use for an instant chat?
Facebook Messenger
BBM (Black Berry Messenger)
What Sapp
Facebook
Tumblr
Other(Please Specify)
8. Please describe your degree of interest for visiting social networking sites. (Refer to the 3 social networking sites you selected from
question 5).
40. 40
Not at all
interested
1
Not Very
interested
2
Neutral
3
Somewhat
Interested
4
Very much interested
5
I visit social networking sites for viewing profiles o
I visit social networking sites for uploading
selfie pictures
o
I visit social networking sites for boasting status likes o
I visit social networking for sharing feelings o
I visit social networking sites for expressing opinions o
I visit social networking sites for spreading rumors o
I visit social networking sites for publishing news o
I visit social networking sites for raising campaigns‟
awareness
o
I visit social networking sites for gaining knowledge o
9. For each statement, please rate your problems faced when using social networking services regularly. (
Refer to the 3 social networking sites you selected from question 5)
Never
1
Rarely
2
Occasionally
3
Frequently
4
Very Frequently
5
Criticized on my lifestyle
Received disturbing phone calls
Insulted for not sending text messages on time
Received offensive messages inbox
Received offensive comments for pictures/videos
upload
Evaded Privacy
Concentration problems
Lost relationships with contacts
Forced to compete with others
10. Please select the top 3 social networking services that create stress everyday
Facebook
Twitter
What Sapp
BBM (Blackberry Messenger)
Instagram
Mobile Calls
Other (Please Specify)
11. Generally, do you experience any physical symptoms of stress regularly when using mobile phones?
A. Yes
B. No
If yes, please specify what type?
12. In your opinion, what would you suggest for reducing the social networking services‟ handling/stress symptoms problem?
