The role of social media in mobilizing, sustaining and ending the major protests of the October 17 revolution

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand how social media affected the Lebanese revolution known as the October 17 revolution. The study explored mainly how and why people used social media platforms mainly Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and it investigated whether or not social media had an influence over decision making during the revolution. The data gathering process was possible through a survey that was filled by 463 Lebanese from all over Lebanon, who are social media users. Also, five interviews have been conducted with public figures, journalists and activists to understand deeper the connection between social media and the revolution. The results validated the hypothesis as they showed a strong connection between the continuity of the revolution and the content on social media. The results revealed that people see social media as their primary source of news and information as well as the space where they can reveal their anger and frustration. The results also showed that the revolution would have started without social media, yet its continuity wouldn’t have been insured.