ABSTRACT
The chapter examines the political impact of the Internet and new social media or Web 2.0 tools on the modern-day struggle between authoritarian regimes and civil societies, specifically in North Africa. It discusses on conversations via Facebook, Twitter and blogs and on direct examinations of empirical events as they have unfolded in three North African nations: Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. The chapter evaluates and details how civil activists, authoritarian regimes and North African Arab youth have attempted to use social media to further their own goals when conflicts emerged between rulers and ruled in three North African nations. It examines what encouraged and challenged mobilization of consolidated political voice of Arab youth in North African political arena due to Arab Spring. The chapter evaluates how rapid growth and reach of social media platforms have affected and shaped North African youth identity among civil societies in countries that enjoy far less political freedom than their counterparts in Western world.
