The Role of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) in the January 25

th
Revolution of Egypt


In Tunisia and Egypt, we have witnessed a new genre of revolution whose distinguishing feature lies in its organizationby
networks and particularly in social networks, which played an important informational and organizational role.
Allagui and Kuebler, (2011).


Library Review Journal, 2012, Vol. 61, Iss. No. 2 pp 128-159

Dr. Essam Mansour*

Assistant professor

dr.essamman@yahoo.com

The Department of Library & Information Science
The Faculty of Arts, South Valley University (Qena, Egypt)


Keywords:
Social Networking Sites, Facebook, Blogs, Twitter, Youtube, Internet, Web2 Egypt, theEgyptian Revolution, Arab World,
Focus groups.

Abstract
The purpose of this research is to highlight the important role played by Social Networking Sites (SNSs) in the January
25
th
Revolution of Egypt, and how they worked in unison to deliver the voice of the Egyptian protesters to the
whole world. This research is based on material from two focus groups with individuals who participated in the
January 25
th
Revolution of Egypt regarding how they perceive the potential role of SNSs in this
revolution. Nineteen individuals aged between -20-40+ were interviewed in depth on their SNSs use
and perception about their role played in this revolution. Questions relating to demographic characteristics,
use and role of SNSs were asked. Regarding the findings of this study, the demographic characteristics showed that
the users of SNSs in the Egyptian revolution were more likely to be male, younger than 30 years old and educated.
University professors followed by engineers, lawyers, teachers and students were the most professions using SNSs in this
revolution with a monthly income of more than E.P 1300 ($220). Participants were more likely also to not be new users of
SNSs, where more than have of them had been using them for about two years, and the highest use of these networks among
them was between 1-3hours a day, and almost two-third of them was logging to SNSs at least several times a day. The study
showed also that most participants had from 101-150 friends. To communicate with friends and to keep in contact with
existing friends were the most very significant reasons why participants spend time on SNSs. Almost all
participants confirmed that the role of SNSs in the Egyptian revolution was very significant to them. They
indicated also that SNSs, especially Facebook, Youtube, Blogger, and Twitter respectively, have played
a major role in connecting demonstrators and coordinating their efforts against the regime. All participants indicated that
they highly used SNSs in the Egyptian revolution as being vital platforms for mobilizing. They indicated also that they used
some other networks, such as Fillker and Hi5, but not much as the other four networks at which they had at least one profile,
and some of them have more than one. The key value of this research lies in exploring new use and role for SNSs in the
political and social change taking the Egyptian revolution as a real and unique example!

Ph. D in Library & Information Science, the University of
Pittsburgh (PA, USA).
MLIS in the same major, the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (WI, USA)
BA in Library & Information Science, Cairo University (Egypt)