Expert calls for control over social media use

Excessive use of social networking sites, especially by the younger generation, is resulting in deterioration of values and taking a toll on both Arabic and English languages, an expert has warned.
Wafa bint Nasir Al-Ajami, from the sociology and social services department at Imam Mohamed bin Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), has said in a study that the use of social networking sites is growing in Saudi society, taking it to the fifth position among Arab nations, while the number of Internet users has reached 15 million.
Al-Ajami says in her study that the excessive use of social networking sites could result in negative consequences for the Saudi community, notably deterioration of social relations and a rise in divorce and infidelity cases.
The study, which is to be presented at a marriage and family care forum in Dammam next week, says the addiction to social networks increases the rate of ethical deviations, allows sons and daughters to escape from family control. It also weakens the linguistic skills of children as they use combined and short Arabic and English phrases at the expense of their native language, the study warns.
“The social networking sites could also help the spread of illicit relations, backbiting and erosion of relations between parents and children who have lived up in certain social values known as reference group,” Al-Ajami said.
To address this problem, the study has recommended that meaningful media programs be produced of ethical and educational nature to tackle the problems of youths, besides direct interaction programs be organized in an attractive format focussing on the nation’s cultural identity.