In this file photo, a Saudi youth checks out internet on his computer laptop at a cafe in Riyadh.

Saudis have recently scooped several top awards for their use of social media, demonstrating their talent and commitment to issues affecting their communities.

In March, a Saudi won most of the awards at the prestigious social media Arab Pioneer Awards in Dubai. The Kingdom claimed 14 awards in various categories.

The awards have been recognition that Saudi companies and individuals are using social media to uplift their communities, particular around issues that affect people in the region.

A study published in January 2014 estimated that there are about 14 million Saudi Internet users, or 53 percent of residents. A total of 7.6 million of these people are considered active users of Facebook.

The study found that Saudis log onto the Internet with their personal computers for five hours a day, and on their smartphones for three hours a day. The statistics show that 47 percent of the Kingdom’s residents prefer to use their smartphones to access the Internet.

Around 51 percent of Saudis use the Internet to access social media sites for about 2 hours and 50 minutes a day. They mostly log onto Facebook, followed by Twitter, Google Plus, Instagram and LinkedIn.

A total of 73 percent of the Kingdom’s residents own smartphones, with 31 percent using them for online shopping and 89 percent for information on local services.

Saud Kateb, a media technology professor at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, and assistant undersecretary at the Ministry of Culture and Information, said social media has enhanced his work as a teacher and spokesperson.

He said that he uses new media such as Facebook and Twitter during his lectures to set up virtual classrooms, allowing interaction with students on their questions.

Kateb said his articles posted on social media are more popular than those published in newspapers. He also uses YouTube to broadcast all his interviews related to media and other social issues.

He also has a SlideShare page where he publishes his research, studies and lectures. “These publications have large audiences. I also use other pages as an official spokesperson to answer all questions related to the ministry,” he said.

Nadia Nasir, a family psychology counselor, said that she uses Facebook because it gives her room to write on several topics, and to meet people with similar interests. She uses Twitter to share breaking news or read about the views held by some people.

However, Nasir said she was worried because many young people were no longer using proper Arabic to communicate on social media websites. There also seemed to be a lack of respect for the views of older people and social norms.

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