The stereotypical image of Arab women in social media sites

Abstract

The research aimed to identify the types of dominant images of Arab women in social networking sites, and highlight the concerns that these sites reflect about women, the researcher used the descriptive analytical method., structuring the study into three main sections: the first addressed the concept of stereotypes and their tools, the second examined social media platforms, their types, and their uses, and the third focused on a field study (Facebook and Women's Issues). The researcher used a questionnaire as the tool for the analytical study, and a random sample was selected from social media users and journalists. The results showed that Facebook comes second after TikTok, which is considered the most common application that deals with women's issues in a way that belittles them and reflects their superficial interests. Additionally, the sample also emphasized that the most important women's issues in dealing with social media are shopping (95%), followed by cosmetics (93%), followed by cooking, decorating, and fitness pages... The research sample agreed that Facebook has a negative impact on family life, and the researcher recommended the need to develop women-specific media strategies that address their issues through social networking sites that focus on upgrading the content and working to change the stereotypical image of them... It is also essential for content creators to pay attention to the special awareness of Arab women by moving away from a consumerist culture that makes women a consumable and unproductive commodity.