Muscat — As social media increasingly shapes public opinion, cultural awareness, and personal identity, experts in Oman are urging collective responsibility to ensure digital behaviour reflects the country’s core values and national character.
Dr. Sabra bint Saif al Harrasi, academic and educational researcher, highlighted Oman’s legacy of character and tolerance. “Whenever the Sultanate of Oman is mentioned, morals come before borders, and character before name,” she said, emphasizing the nation’s tradition of noble conduct and refined speech. She warned that preserving cultural identity online is essential—not only as an educational imperative but as a pillar of cultural security.
Dr. Sabra stressed the central role of family in digital upbringing, noting that children learn more from practiced behaviours at home than from preached lessons. She advocated for encouraging children to become content creators rather than passive consumers, fostering caution in what they absorb. She also recommended building digital libraries and meaningful content archives at home to shape young minds’ preferences.
Dr. Amal bint Talib al Jahouri, media and cultural affairs researcher, described social media’s impact on identity as double-edged—offering both a platform to promote pride in national culture and a challenge due to global cultural influences. She emphasized the responsibility of traditional and modern media, guided by Oman Vision 2040, to deliver content that strengthens national identity, counters misinformation, and educates youth on cultural values through interactive approaches. Dr. Amal urged the creation of dialogue spaces across generations and empowering youth to lead digital content creation aligned with Omani values.
Social media activist Qut al Qulub bint Azzan al Hussaini emphasized that digital influence carries a moral obligation. “Anyone active on these platforms should be an ambassador of our identity,” she said. She called for professional support for content creators, insisting quality must never be sacrificed for views. “We must simplify ideas without diluting meaning and connect youth to local and global issues through values-driven content.”
As Oman advances through the digital era, experts agree that preserving cultural identity online is a shared responsibility—rooted in family, schools, media, and digital platforms alike.
