The role of virtual worlds in fostering cultural identity among youth: A case study of the UAE

Abstract

This study investigates how a popular virtual world, Roblox, may contribute to influencing the cultural identity of Emirati youth, depicting the possible significance and effect of digital platforms in contemporary acculturation processes. The research was conducted by watching the top 100 trending Roblox videos on UAE YouTube, selecting 50 in English and the other 50 in Arabic. Based on themes, values, beliefs, technology, and language, a detailed analysis was performed. Few studies have explored the representation of cultural identity in these virtual worlds, particularly in the UAE, despite their substantial impact. The analysis reveals that Roblox as a platform provides a space for acculturation, assimilation, and integration into several different cultures. It offers youth the opportunity to engage with others, learn, share ideas, and express their sense of cultural identity. Despite the fact that one of the uploaded YouTube videos is a UAE channel with a viewership of 147,000, there was no Emirati representation in the video. The channel didn't seem to embody Emirati culture, and no cultural institutions appeared to have uploaded any of the trending videos. The study highlights the need for cultural institutions to design immersive experiences to promote cultural values in virtual worlds. It also recommends studying the dynamics of cultural identity within those virtual worlds and developing interventions to better assess cultural identity formation among Emirati youth. By utilizing such digital platforms, the UAE can effectively and successfully navigate the entanglements of globalization while promoting and preserving its culture and heritage. This study provides a basis for future research and policymaking in the area of digital cultural identity.