Social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook were very important for the revolution in Egypt. The revolution in Egypt took place on January 25 2011 for 18 days. The main goal was to stop the corruption and to create a better lifestyle for the Egyptian people. The revolution was conceived by a group of young middle class people, who used social networking sites to express their views and concerns. Videos were uploaded onto Youtube from Initiative Media.
A New York Times article written by David Kirkpatrick this past February discussed the social networking tactics used for the Revolution. It all started when a small group of young Egyptians created Facebook group that gained over hundreds of thousands of members and used the page to promote the early protests in Cairo. The social networking groups soon turned into a digital revolution. The groups organized to rebel against the Egypt Political system, and soon became physical by having protest and holding positions in the Egyptian squares.
“We can breathe fresh air, we can feel our freedom,” said Gamal Heshamt, a former independent member of Parliament. “After 30 years of absence from the world, Egypt is back.”
In a CNN article written by Emily Banks in Febuary 2011 talks about how the Egyptian government quickly found out that the protests in the streets were being organized over Facebook and Twitter. In an attempt to stop the revolution the government blocked Facebook and twitter and shut down internet access.The government drastic atempts, still could not keep the Egyptian people’s desire for justice and change. Some people found ways to get around the block until access was fully restored. The Egyptian Revolution was a success. The Egyptian president Mubarak stepped down from his position 18 days after the protest began on January 25 2011. What does this mean for World politics? Can the government just shut down the internet because they dont like whats going on?