The Role of Mobile-Enabled Social Media in Social Development

A number of countries recently experienced protest organized by citizens that were in pursuit of accountability and openness from government. It was witnessed that social media played a highly important role in those events; among others, continuously providing updated information, establishing human networks, forming opinions, mobilizing people, and taking concerted action. Of course, social media is not the sole reason that made the events happen. However, it can be at least said that the general public were encouraged to move into the actions for their enhanced well-being. From a broader perspective, those occurrences also showcase that information and communications technologies (ICT's) can help enhance social development among people. This short note seeks to develop analysis on the role of social media in social development, in the wake of the increasing diffusion of mobile phone internet access.