My interdisciplinary research focuses on identity development in virtual spaces, especially the implications of adopting different ideologies while using social media. In my dissertation “The role of using social media on Saudi Adolescents’ identity development,” I argue that the use of social media during a critical developmental stage—adolescence—can influence adolescents’ exploration and interpretations of their world. I further contend that social media is a key tool for youth to build agency and provides space and to construct narratives and engage in civic participation

My research with the Transcultural Conflict & Violence Initiative at Georgia State University has also led me to look beyond psychosocial perspectives to include communications and political science paradigms. Through collaboration with multiple research teams, my interests have expanded to cover issues concerning ideologies, power, and propaganda disseminated on virtual spaces such as social media

As a Saudi native, I have witnessed social media’s effects on social movements and perspectives, especially among women. Social media can engender positive change or oppression: it can mold narratives around women’s civic engagement and decision making, just as it can reinforce gender inequality or affect women’s labor market participation and social mobility. Exploring social media use among youth can thus clarify shifts in identity, tradition, and community development especially in the Gulf region

As I continue my research around identity, youth, and social media use, I will look at questions such as if social values shifted over the past couple of years due to social media use? If so, how—and what might these stances look like moving forward? How might these changes affect certain demographics, especially women and marginalized groups, in the GCC region? How might changing social norms affect social mobility (e.g., access to information, opportunities, and participation in civic movements). Youth presence is increasing in social media, and their search for identity continues. The intersectionality of gender, class, and religion can be present in youths’ online narratives about who they are and might be in their communities