The Role of social media in the Cognitive Development of Imams and Preachers in Beni Suef

This study Aimes to know the reality of social media’s role in the cognitive development of Imams and Preachers in Beni Suef government. The field approach, using a questionnaire to collect data (was used). The study, Among its results, proved that (61.5%) of Imams and Preachers do not rely on the information authentecation received through social media, and that (22%) rely on the reputation of the source to verify the accuracy of the information. Also, the most used social media by Imams and Preachers are Facebook and WhatsApp with an average of (3.6-3.5) within the "high" category according to Likert Scale, while YouTube came in third with an average of (2.9). The study has shown The high estimations of Imams and Preachers of the role of social media in spreading moderate thought: estimates of eleven out of twelve statements came within the "high" category, with averages ranging between (2.7 - 2.3). Estimates of the pros of social media increased, as the estimates of eight out of eleven items came within the "high" category, with averages ranging from (3-2.4). The overall average for all the items was (2.54), which is a very high score according to the Triple Likert Scale. However, there is a strong fear of social media, as five items came within the "high" category, with averages ranging between (2.8 - 2.4). The attitudes of Imams and Preachers towards social media were high and positive, as their estimates of all items related to this dimension came within the "high" category, with an overall average of (2.55). In the end, the study proved that social media has a role in the cognitive development of Imams and Preachers with a general average of (2.5) within the "high" rating category; since their estimates for nine items of the table were "high" and the other four items "medium", and their responses were not low towards any of the mentioned items.