In the Western world, the internet was not a revolution but rather a logical step in our development. Digitization had already begun, and thanks to it, this process was accelerated. The internet helps make life even easier than it was. It offers new and unlimited possibilities for entrepreneurs, critics, and consumers. The internet also entered our lives gradually. More and more households obtained an internet connection, and the internet has been able to develop into what it is today through trial and error, and we as users have been able to get used to this.
How different is it in a country like Egypt? An Arab country that, thanks to a dictatorship, kept the Western world at bay—with the exception of American bombs. In such a country, the Internet has not been able to develop gradually, and the inhabitants have not been able to get used to it. There, the baker on the corner has no website, and there are no online stores where you can order your new football boots. As a result, the number of Egyptian websites is still very limited. The majority of what Egyptian Internet users can see are Western sites, and this has turned into a revolution.
The Egyptian early adopters saw the Western world up close via the Internet. They were able to connect with the Western world in a simple way, saw that they have a voice via the Internet, and could also share it. In my opinion, the growth of social media and Internet users in Egypt occurred almost simultaneously, and this fact reinforced each other. The Egyptians gained an online voice, and suddenly they could share this voice with other Egyptians. At a certain point, there were so many voices that it began to approach a climax. The Egyptians convinced each other that it was time for change. The uprisings began after a man set himself on fire; this was the starting signal for an uprising, and thanks to the Internet, this message was spread. As a result, it spread, and eventually, the entire Egyptian people took massive action. The whole country was mobilized, and thanks to their steadfastness, the Egyptians succeeded in forcing a revolution.
All residents with an internet connection in Libya, Iran, and Bahrain were on the edge of their seats watching videos and clips of the Egyptian revolution. This motivated them and gave them the insight that they too are capable of bringing about a revolution. In Bahrain, a 'Tahrir Square' has already been set up and protests are planned. All of this was made possible in part by the sharing capabilities of the Internet. The online revolution has continued into an offline revolution. How many more countries will follow with this offline revolution is unknown. But all presidents, kings, and dictators have been warned: the internet is the beginning of the revolution!