The Impact of Social Media on Saudi Female International College Students in the United States

• In Event: Millennium Hotel Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: Social Media and Online Communities

Abstract

This study explored 14 Saudi female international college students who were living in the United States about their social media use in the United States and their experiences with online communities. Although social media was central to the social lives of the participants, they made great efforts to protect their identities online. Many worried about judgments and concerns from other Saudi friends and family members about what they posted or wrote. Thus, the participants were careful to use social media in a way that connected them with others while still respecting cultural boundaries. Recommendations developed from this study’s findings aimed to help U.S. educators better understand how Saudi cultural and religious factors impacted female Saudi students.

Authors

• Tahani Alruwaili

• Heng-Yu Ku, University of Northern Colorado