Document Type : Research article
Authors
1
Department of Agricultural extension and Economics, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Aswan University, Egypt.
2
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Minia University, Egypt
10.21608/ajabs.2025.391788.1001
Abstract
The rapid proliferation of social networking sites on the Internet has led to the emergence of numerous platforms with similar characteristics and functions, such as Myspace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Brightkite. These platforms serve as tools for online social communication, with Facebook and Twitter standing out as the most widely recognized and utilized globally. Representing a significant advancement in modern communication technologies, these sites were initially designed to promote social interaction among individuals. However, their scope has since expanded to include political engagement, such as the dissemination of information related to political events and the coordination of public protests. The genesis of social networking sites can be traced back to the establishment of Classmates.com in 1995, followed by the launch of SixDegrees.com in 1997. The latter emphasized establishing direct connections among users, particularly classmates, and introduced essential features such as personal profiles and private messaging systems between friends. Today, social networking platforms are considered among the most prevalent and influential tools on the Internet, characterized by unique attributes that distinguish them from traditional websites. These features have significantly contributed to the surge in global user engagement and interaction. While several Arabic social networks such as Maktoob, Ikhwan Book, Al-Madina Network, and Fayeh have been developed to serve the Arabic-speaking community, they remain limited in their competitiveness compared to major global platforms. Despite ongoing enhancements to their systems, these platforms have yet to reach the level of services provided by their international counterparts. Nevertheless, they play a vital role in fostering communication and delivering various services to Arab users within the digital space.
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