On the Web, users particularly youth of both genders are using social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter to share with their immediate circle their collection of light news, jokes interesting information away from the “seriousness” of the traditional news on television or the Internet.

The phenomenal level of online contribution of jokes, light news and gossip, some say, has actually started due to considerable drop in social gatherings, activities and meetings.

“Not long ago, my friends and I gathered outside my house and sometimes met my colleagues at work or school and I would do the same — we’d chat, share stories, gossip and crack new jokes over a cup of coffee or tea or sometimes dinner.

The days of such “gathering” are over, as many of my friends find no time for such meetings. So we socialize online on Facebook, while still trying to create the same atmosphere, albeit over a computer screen or a cell phone device,” said 26-year-old Majid.

On Facebook searching the word “Nokat,” meaning jokes in Arabic, will generate hundreds of online pages and Facebook groups with jokes and fun posts.

“On Facebook, I always search for groups, and pages that post funny news, jokes, interesting videos or photos. There are thousands of such pages in several languages and in Arabic as well. These pages and online communities were created for the main purpose of gathering and sharing funny information which does not form part of the mainstream media,” said 23-year-old Ahmad Abdul Aziz.

Some claimed that such online efforts are not new, and sharing jokes, videos and photos have been around since e-mail became a connecting tool.

Many of the e-mail aficionados began to use this communicating tool to pass around jokes and interesting stuff to their friends and families, who then spread the ripple effect by forwarding the mail to their own set of mail addresses and so on.

But with the advent of the social media, the messages that are being sent out are instant. Also in the e-mail era the outreach was only to close families and friends, who then passed on the jokes and light stories to their ‘families and friends.’ Though the connect was there, it was limited.

“But the social media has revolutionized the way we connect and share. Join the Facebook connections or follow an hash-tag of ‘Nokat’ on Twitter, you’ll be given a variety of treat. For jokes and light stories abound in the Facebook forums, pages or communities and anybody from anywhere can share or enjoy the fare,” said Nora, a Jeddah resident.