Social Media Networks, Public Opinion Formation

The Saudi Media Forum, in its fourth edition this year, demonstrated a culture of productivity and creativity, bringing together over 2,000 speakers and media professionals from fields such as politics, energy, media, economics, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship. 

Participants engaged in 80 discussion panels and knowledge exchanges, along with 11 interactive initiatives and experiences. I was honored to speak at this vibrant intellectual and media event about the impact of new media on public opinion—a topic of great importance, as it shapes viewpoints and influences policies worldwide.

This virtual world has become an inseparable part of daily life for children, teenagers, young adults, ordinary citizens, politicians, statesmen, political parties, nations, business leaders, and corporations. It is now a necessity in mass communication, making it impossible to ignore. It has also disrupted traditional audio-visual media, as influence is no longer limited to elites. Social media has become an open space where numerous actors contribute to shaping public discourse.

Social media platforms have gained widespread acceptance among the public, offering the advantage of instant and real-time interaction with published content. People can now engage with news while sitting at home, on a bus, on an airplane, or in classrooms and university halls. Whoever controls these platforms effectively holds the keys to minds and hearts. Former U.S. President Donald Trump understood this power during his election campaign and allied himself with Elon Musk, the most influential figure in social media. In exchange for Musk’s help in running his campaign using this new digital landscape, Trump promised him significant responsibilities and open doors. 

Trump recognized social media as a powerful, effective, and reliable tool. It has continued to attract more users across all ages, demographics, and social levels. The result was clear: social media helped Trump deliver his messages to the masses, undermine his opponents, attract Republicans and even many Democrats to his side, and gain unconditional support to implement his policies, even when they defied conventions.

The power of social media lies in its ability to influence and shape public opinion in the political sphere, using a language accessible to all audiences and available in multiple languages—unlike traditional media. However, this influence has created unprecedented social challenges, such as digital addiction. This addiction, similar to other forms of dependency, affects mental health, social relationships, and daily activities. Today, psychiatric clinics are filled with patients suffering from digital addiction. If sociologists were to conduct field studies, they would likely find a significant rise in such cases, highlighting a serious issue that requires precise strategies and policies to combat and mitigate its effects.

Moreover, social media platforms are difficult to monitor and regulate. Governments lack the necessary infrastructure to fully control digital content or shut down these networks. The influence of social media extends beyond domestic affairs to impact international strategic environments. Several European countries, including Norway, France, Germany, and Spain, have recently voiced strong concerns over Elon Musk's interference in their electoral processes. They accuse him of using social media to manipulate political dynamics, promote regressive ideologies, and incite hate speech and misinformation within their internal political arenas.

For example, Musk has made public endorsements encouraging votes for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Amid Germany’s political struggles, the AfD has gained significant momentum in recent legislative elections. Similarly, far-right parties across Europe recently gathered in Madrid, with Musk’s overt and covert support. 

The event saw the participation of prominent right-wing figures, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Austria’s far-right Freedom Party, France’s National Rally led by Marine Le Pen, and the Dutch Freedom Party led by Geert Wilders.

During the forum, distinguished journalist Rima Maktabi asked me about issues related to digital begging, online delinquency, and misinformation. I responded by emphasizing the challenge of balancing freedom of expression with the need to uphold universally accepted values. This involves regulating and monitoring social media content in a way that aligns with common human principles. However, this is not a task for a single country or organization. Instead, it requires strengthening regional and international alliances to negotiate effectively with major global tech companies and establish a more accountable digital ecosystem.