Revue Algérienne de la Communication
Volume 27, Numéro 3, Pages 9-28
2025-12-10

Social Media's Impact On Youth Social Relationships At Birzeit University: A Field Study

Authors : Ewaida Bassam . Khasib Nasser .

Abstract

The study aims to assess how social media affects the social connections of young Palestinians attending Birzeit University. Using a descriptive and analytical approach, the researchers randomly selected 142 male and female students from Birzeit University's media department in the West Bank, Palestine. Out of these, thirty students formed the experimental sample. The students came from various residential backgrounds and ranged in age from 18 to 26 years. The study was conducted in 2025 during the second semester. The results showed that the sample's average estimate of social media's influence on young people's social connections at Birzeit University was 2.56 (51.2%), indicating a moderate level of influence. The statement "Social media platforms assist in spreading lies and rumors about others" ranked highest (4.05, 81.0%), while "Social media platforms have enabled me to have unlawful relationships (such as electronic sex)" ranked lowest (1.80, 36.0%) among responses, which ranged from 1.80 to 4.05.

Keywords

Birzeit University ; Social Media ; Social Relationships ; Youth, Media ; Palestine