MUSCAT – This report highlights the importance of preserving the values of Omani society and promoting responsible digital behaviour based on accuracy, constructive criticism, respect for privacy, and support for meaningful content. It also highlights the need to adhere to authentic Omani values and character, which is not only a commendable individual choice, but also a pressing national challenge that requires close cooperation among all segments of society.

In this regard, Dr. Sabra bint Saif Al Harrasi, an academic and educational researcher, told the Oman News Agency: “Whenever the Sultanate of Oman is mentioned, morals come before borders, and character before name. It is a deeply rooted identity and a human heritage that was witnessed by the Prophet before it was recorded in history books, when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said ‘If the people of Oman were to come to you, they would not insult you or beat you.’ This prophetic testimony combined nobility of treatment and refinement of speech, which are the essence of what has formed the Omani character of character, wisdom, and tolerance.”

She explained that digital platforms have become incubators for taste and guides of thought, shaping behaviours. Re-broadcasting this Omani trait in the virtual world is no longer just an educational necessity, but rather an essential element of cultural security. The content presented to children should not be disconnected from their history or distant from their spirit, but rather should be in harmony with an identity that has been shaped over centuries and express a society that views morality as capital and values as a passport.

She noted that coexistence, which forms the foundation of the Omani social structure in all its diversity, must be translated into a language that respects diversity and sees it as an enrichment rather than a threat. Pride in identity lies in the details of the content, which is not ashamed of its dialect or imitates the traditions of others, but rather highlights its beauty in a language that is understood by the next generation and appreciated by others.

She stated that tolerance, in turn, is not understood as a concession, but rather as a human maturity that rises above hostility and prioritizes constructiveness over debate. At the heart of all of this lies a pivotal value: moral conscience, which governs what is produced and disseminated, and ethical competence, which grants the right to influence to those who hold an idea, not to those seeking fame.

She pointed out that when content is produced from mature awareness, it does not overemphasise principles under the pretext of attractiveness, nor does it empty words of their meaning under the pressure of interaction. We restore internal oversight to the content before it is subjected to external oversight.

She emphasised that the family remains the primary gateway to shaping digital tastes and the primary filter for what children receive. There is no digital upbringing without an active family presence. The primary influence on children’s choices is not platforms or celebrities, but rather the environment in which their initial tastes were formed and from which they learned what was appropriate and inappropriate. When relationships within the home shift from authority to partnership, from orders to dialogues, awareness begins to take shape – not through warning, but through trust and accompaniment.

She explained that useful guidance is not born from dry orders, but rather from warm conversations that listen before giving directions. Furthermore, the presence of a digital role model within the home is not a secondary detail. Children learn not only from what is said to them, but also from what is practiced in front of them. When they see a father who makes good choices in his or her behaviour, or a mother who selects what aligns with her values, these scenes slowly accumulate in their consciousness and become a silent reference for their choices.

She explained that strengthening pride in identity begins at home, not with slogans, but with everyday conversation, simple actions, and respect for local details. We cannot protect our children from all misleading content, but we can equip them with the skills of value selection and critical thinking, so that their awareness becomes the true guardian of their digital taste.

She noted that when children are given the opportunity to be producers rather than mere recipients, their sense of belonging to what they create makes them more cautious about what they receive. Hence, the importance of every family having its own digital library and archive of meaningful content that shapes children’s tastes and enriches them from much of what is inappropriate.

She added: “If content has an impact, then the people who produce it have a deeper impact. Social media is no longer just platforms; it has become model factories and standard-setting laboratories. In this space, children search for someone who resembles them, someone who inspires them and makes them feel that values do not mean backwardness, and that authenticity does not contradict success. Hence the importance of digital role models who do not just say things, but embody values in their practices.

She emphasized that creating influential elites who are aware of their values and are empowered with tools capable of expressing themselves in the language of the generation without compromising their principles is not a luxury, but a national and educational necessity.”

The standards that a social media influencer should possess are not idealistic theories, but rather confirmation that those who wield influence wield responsibility. They also emphasize that honesty in presentation, consistency between words and actions, awareness of the consequences of publishing, and due respect for the community’s feelings, identity, and culture are the foundations that enhance an influencer’s value and grant them an impact that transcends the number of followers.

Regarding the impact of social media on Omani identity, Dr. Amal bint Talib Al Jahouri, a researcher interested in media and cultural affairs, explained that the impact of social media on identity in general, and on Omani identity in particular, is a dual effect, as it depends on the quality of the content provided by these media outlets.

She stated that these tools and means can be harnessed to create a space that enhances constructive ideas, promotes the values of citizenship, and facilitates knowledge exchange and openness, which contributes to presenting a positive image of the nation, introducing it and taking pride in it. Conversely, social media can be a negative tool and represent a major challenge due to openness to different ideas and cultures, which has a negative impact on national identity due to the overlap of many cultures and ideas, and the influence of these on societies and generations, which affects their ability to preserve the privacy of their national culture.

Regarding the role traditional media plays compared to social media in promoting Omani culture, she pointed out that, given the legal regulation of media work in the Sultanate of Oman, both traditional and modern media outlets are committed to professionalism in delivering media messages and content.
She explained that these media outlets work to highlight the features of national identity in their content across various visual, audio, print and electronic media outlets. This is reflected in much of the media content on various government and private media outlets, and across various electronic media platforms and accounts.

This certainly does not deny the important and unique role that traditional media outlets have committed to in preserving Omani culture and transmitting it to generations across its various spaces.
Dr. Al Jahouri emphasized that the media plays an important and influential role in preserving national identity through its national message, which is not devoid of the vocabulary of that culture. In light of the presence of social media, the media’s responsibility is doubled by promoting positive content based on investing in these media to direct its message towards promoting national values and cultural heritage in innovative and interactive ways.

Regarding strategies that can be used to engage Omani youth in media content that reinforces national identity, she said: “Given the presence of a large segment of young people passionate about content creation and an active presence on social media platforms, it is important to have a clear vision regarding the investment of influencers and activists across these platforms in creating and disseminating content through their accounts.”

On media’s handling of misinformation on social media, she noted that both the media and its professionals have a national responsibility to confront misinformation that affects Omani culture by providing reliable information that refutes misinformation.

For her part, Qut Al Qulub Bint Azan Al Hussainiya, a social media activist, pointed out that social media has become a daily platform that shapes people’s opinions and opens windows onto their issues, concerns, and opportunities.

She said that anyone active on social media must be an ambassador for their country, highlighting the values of authentic Omani society and adhering to the Omani character. An ambassador is not someone who represents their country beyond its borders, but rather someone who respects its identity even when addressing the world. A true activist is someone who presents a behavioural and value-based model that stems from their authentic Omani heritage, without embellishment or affectation.

Preserving Omani identity in this vast digital space is not a luxury, but rather a shared national responsibility. It begins with the family and extends to content creators. It is reinforced by the role of other institutions, such as education and media. It is based on awareness, role models, and a commitment to authentic Omani values in everything we say and publish. Omani identity remains the compass that guides us in every message published, every content produced, and every interaction built in the virtual space.