A recent report highlights the impact of Israel’s war on Gaza on young Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem, leading to reduced social media usage out of fear. The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media revealed that 39% of respondents deleted posts due to fear, citing restrictions from platforms like Meta. The study also found that half of the users faced scrutiny or questioning from Israeli security agencies due to their online activity, shedding light on the complex digital security challenges faced by Palestinian youth.
Titled “Digital Security Among Palestinian Youth: A Study on Threats and Challenges in Light of the War on Gaza,” the report points to various violators of digital rights, including the Israeli occupation, digital platforms, and Palestinian authorities. It emphasizes the lack of awareness among users, leaving them vulnerable to threats and attacks. The internet is seen as an unsafe space for discussing political issues related to Palestine, with growing concerns over online censorship and suppression of content.
Growing online censorship
Human Rights Watch previously reported on Meta’s censorship of Palestine-related content on Instagram and Facebook, highlighting the suppression of speech supporting Palestine. This censorship has led to calls for action against the erasure of Palestinian voices during a time of heightened conflict and repression.