The impact of the New Media on Socialization: An Interdisciplinary study on Oman

Socialization is one of the most important processes in all societies. It has, therefore, been an essential topic of inquiry in different fields of social sciences. With the enormous scientific and technological developments in media and telecommunications in the last quarter of the twentieth century and the beginnings of the new millennium, new media means (satellites, the World Wide Web, and mobile phones) and their multiple applications have emerged as a serious challenge for the family and other institutions of socialization. Based on General Systems Theory, Cultivation Theory, and Gratification Approach, the current study seeks to achieve the following objectives: 1- to identify Omani families patterns of use of the new means of communication. 2- to explore the cultural impact of new media (satellite channels, internet, and mobile phones) on the young generation. 3- to examine the impact of some demographic variables such as family size and level of education on the socialization process. 4- to set criteria and standards that can direct new media to play a more positive role in the socialization process. The present study is a descriptive study based on a survey distributed in all regions and governances of the Sultanate of Oman to a random sample of 8000 students in the age group (6-16), 2000 parents, represented in the parents? boards, and a number of experts in the fields of media and socialization.