The Impact of Digital Content on Intellectual Security: A Quantitative Study on Saudi X Users

Abstract

Abstract

The study aimed to clarify the impact of digital content on intellectual security among a sample of Saudi X users to understand the extent of their awareness of the concept of intellectual security and the ways of interacting with extremist content that they may be exposed to on X. The study also aimed to reveal the degree of awareness of Saudi X users of the safe ways to interact with extremist digital content onX. The study relied on the survey method, where the survey tool was applied to (249) X users of both sexes aged between (35-45) years. The results showed that the study subjects have a weak knowledge of the term intellectual security, but they have a high degree of knowledge of the concept of intellectual security in general and the dimensions that cause intellectual security destabilization. Also, (89.6%) of respondents do not trust any content published on X unless it comes from trusted accounts. Additionally, 71% of respondents confirmed the spread of extremist ideas on X. As for the ways to deal with suspicious accounts, (47.8%) of respondents preferred to block suspicious accounts in case they were exposed to some extremist opinions and ideas. The study recommends activating awareness campaigns on the official accounts related to intellectual security on social networking sites and raising awareness of ways to address suspicious accounts and cybercrime laws related to intellectual security.