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Social Media Usage in Supporting Children with Cognitive Disabilities and Their Caregivers from Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Analysis

Authors:
Reem Alshenaifi
Jinjuan Heidi Feng

Keywords: Social Media; Cognitive Disabilities; Children; Saudi Arabia; Accessibility

Abstract:
This study investigates the use of social media in supporting and empowering Saudi caregivers of children with cognitive disabilities. Through interviews with 13 caregivers, we examined their motivations and concerns around using social media in relation to their children or students’ conditions. We also investigated the role of social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that caregivers used social media with caution to seek information and emotional support, to spread awareness, and to communicate and build communities. Our findings also suggest that caregivers face a great deal of challenges in security and privacy, social stigma and negative discussions, misinformation, as well as lack of resources. We propose recommendations to the government, specialists, and parents that could lead to more effective use of social media to support children with cognitive disabilities and their caregivers in Saudi Arabia.

Pages: 363 to 369

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2020

Publication date: March 22, 2020

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4138

ISBN: 978-1-61208-761-0

Location: Valencia, Spain

Dates: from November 21, 2020 to November 25, 2020