The Impact of Digital Learning Materials on the Cultural Identity of Saudi Students: A Field Study at the Technical College in Al-Ahsa

Abstract This study aims to identify the role and impact of learning English, from the perspective of educational YouTube, on the cultural identity of learners—either from a positive aspect (acquiring the language, acquisition of various behaviors such as technical and social, and commitment to system and appearance) or from a negative aspect (adoption of values, behaviors, and habits that may differ from their primary community, such as appearance, smoking, deliberation, and loyalty and belonging to the native culture). The researchers use the theory of Cultural Cultivation and embed it within the subject of the study. A descriptive approach was used, and an electronic questionnaire was administered to a convenient sample of 80 male students from the Technical College in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The results showed that the majority of students (the study sample) agreed that YouTube educational content encouraged them to learn and use meaningful and socially valuable English words, such as expressions of thanks and welcome, with 97.5% of the sample agreeing. The results also show that nearly 99% of the sample disagreed with the idea that educational content contributes to the use of obscene language. Additionally, around 90% rejected the notion that such content influences the adoption of unfamiliar appearance trends, such as tattoos, bracelets, and necklaces.