Social media, Memes and Digital Emotional Contagion: Critical Thinking and Emotional Intelligence for Digital Citizenship Education

Abstract

This research objective is to investigate the impact of emerging technology, mediated by emotional contagion, on the formation of civic engagement to develop a new conceptual framework for digital citizenship education that promotes critical thinking and emotional intelligence skills.

Design/Approach/methods

Through the utilization of documentary research methods and a critical review of existing literature, we undertook a comprehensive case study of the Egyptian and Tunisian movements within the context of the Arab "digital revolution" and elucidated the impact of social media and memes on civic engagement from the perspective of digital emotional contagion. Through synthesizing results, proffered solutions aimed at fortifying critical thinking and emotional intelligence within media education.

Finding

Emotional contagion permeates via social media and memes, have bolstered the collective emotions of citizens and provided an atmosphere in which silence or fear could be broken, potentially expediting civic movements. Critical thinking and emotional intelligence as essential prerequisites particularly for Generation Z individuals immersed in social media and meme culture to ensure responsible digital citizenship and constructive societal contributions is suggested.

Originality/Value

The study's outcomes contribute to an enhanced comprehension of the impact of new technology and digital emotional contagion on civic engagement. The methodological value of this study can be determined through the need to form critical thinking skills and develop emotional intelligence as key factors for effective consumption of media content and successful communication in the digital environment.