The Wall Street Journal recently reported on Facebook's impact on political activism in the Arab world. Over the past few months, more than 70,000 Egyptian citizens joined a group on the popular social networking site where they discuss government policies, plan protests, and form alliances to stimulate social change.

With nearly 1.4 billion humans now connected via the Web worldwide, digital communication tools have become staples of modern day activism.

Governments are taking notice, going so far as arresting dissidents for their online activities. In severe cases, security forces have even shut down electronic modes of communication in an effort to prevent discourse or civil unrest.

Last month, a student from UC Berkeley was detained in Egypt for snapping pictures of a political demonstration. Minutes after his arrest, the young man used his mobile phone to send news of his detainment to followers around the world. Using micro-blogging tool Twitter, he quickly decreed, "ARRESTED" from his mobile phone. Friends and supporters immediately contacted the U.S. Embassy and news outlets. He was released the next day.

A Snapshot of the Detained Activist's "Tweets"

Dubai has already blocked Twitter nationwide, according to ZDNET.

Efforts by governments, NGOs and big businesses to squelch contrarian voices are increasingly ineffective in the digital age, when younger citizens have literally grown up sharing ideas openly online. By closing modes of communication, groups literally fan the flames of dissenters and drive more dialogue about hot issues, not less.

This reliance on digital tools to communicate, share, and congregate will surely expand. Our own research on trusted information sources (referenced on this blog previously) illustrates the growing importance of "social" media tools and channels -- particularly for citizen influencers -- who increasingly embrace the use of technology to share thoughts with others.

Governments, businesses and all varieties of organizations need to be prepared to take part in these lively discussions online. The days of simply "pulling the plug" may be drawing to a close. With more global scrutiny on censorship and interference with communication, the only way to influence conversations is to join them.