Women and youth are targets in virtual warfare

Dubai: The growing virtual world of social media has made women the most vulnerable online targets of banned groups and Arab youth the most active and influenced parties in the ongoing virtual warfare, said communication experts at the Arab Media Forum.

The role of women in society is being exploited in the virtual war through their growing use of social media, a session on virtual warfare heard. Cyber attacks and the virtual warfare are gradually replacing nuclear warfare with more than 18 attacks taking place per second globally, costing the United States $250 billion (Dh991 billion) a year.

Meanwhile, cyber attacks are costing Gulf Arab countries Dh3.67 billion ($1 billion) a year and are still growing.

With the ability to voice, promote and share opinions and ideologies online while hiding behind a mask, terrorist groups and parties are preying upon women, explained Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Vice-Chancellor of UAE University.

“While women can be protected at home from external forces, they are targeted and influenced through social media,” said Dr Al Nuaimi. The recruitment process used by groups on social media channels through messages, images and videos has made cyber attacks a more common approach to effectively promote ideologies and influence users.

Describing the virtual word as a cyber battlefield with an unknown army, Dr Moutaz Kokash, an Information Technology professional, referred to online users as ‘electronic mercenaries” fighting in cyber wars. “In real wars the armies confront each other and the arms and weapons used are known, whereas in cyber wars nothing is identified,” said Dr Kokash.

Referring to an international study that showed that 57 per cent of social media users are youth, Dr Kokash pointed out that along with women, Arab youth have also become easy targets.

“It has become a competition between adolescents and youth on who can penetrate more online accounts. Again, the youth are also being exploited in a negative way,” said Dr Kokash.

Sharing the same views, Sabah Yassin, academic and media researcher, described the new generation as one with dual personalities.

“The youth nowadays have one personality on the ground where they interact with each other based on social norms and another virtual personality, which is not controlled,” said Yassin. “There is a lot of sabotage in the virtual aspect.”

In an effort to salvage the sabotage, Dr Al Nuaimi called on governmental and educational organisations to spread awareness on the dangers of cyber attacks, hacking, and their consequences. He pointed out that the new generation, which makes up more than half of online users, is spending more time interacting in the virtual world than with their family and friends, adding that the “UAE is no exception”.

“Our countries, states, values, morals and principles of coexistence need protection. They are being targeted and are in danger, which is why we need to spread awareness — laws and government censorship cannot fix the problem,” he said.

While virtual warfare is controlled by anyone and everyone, the media is one of the main tools responsible for promoting sectarianism.

Media channels instil sectarianism

Mishari Al Thyadi, a Saudi columnist, said that while the media contributes to the formation of sectarianism, it’s the government regimes across Arab countries that have created them. Conflict as a result of sectarianism is a result of the repressed tension in Arab communities caused by policies, he explained.

“The tensions were underground, until the pressures by world powers resulted in them rising to the surface [Arab Spring]. It’s like boiling water that has found an outlet.”

Referring to different media outlets that support various sects such as Shiites, Sunnis, and Druze Muslims as well as Christians, Jews and other religious and political factions, Al Thyadi said the problem lies in the presentation of the news.

“When conflict between Sunnis and Shiites take place, the problem isn’t with covering the news, it’s with the format, context and manner it’s presented by a channel,” he said.

Al Thyadi suggested rules and regulations as a method to regulate media channels and social media.

Meanwhile, Lebanese writer and publisher Lokman Slim called any government interference a hindrance to freedom. Slim called for further investment in individual freedom with emphasis on citizen involvement in the political process.

Highlighting ethnic diversity as a cause of sectarianism Dr Baqer Al Najjar, professor of Sociology at the University of Bahrain, concluded the session on ‘Arab media and sectarianism’ by pointing at top officials and businessmen in the Arab World as the main beneficiaries of controlled TV channels and media outlets.