The Internet in the Arab World: Playground for Political Liberalization

Describes the usage pattern and behavioral pattern of Internet users in the Arab world by analyzing statistics published by Saudi Arabia and other countries about the most popular sites and services used by their citizens. Discusses the amount of filtering that occurs in various states for moral or political reasons. Highlights the use of chat rooms and forums by male and female users to discuss taboo and controversial topics such as sex, politics, religion and others. That the social effect of the Internet and blogging on youth culture is causing the loss of the self-evidence of traditional worldviews and power hierarchies.