Final answer:
The statement by Wael Ghonim that social media promoting thoughtfulness and civility can drive real change is true. Social media has indeed played a role in social and political movements like MeToo and the Arab Spring. Despite its potential for misuse, its effectiveness in organizing and spreading awareness cannot be denied.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Wael Ghonim in 'Let's Design Social Media that Drives Real Change,' social media that rewards thoughtfulness, civility, and mutual understanding has the potential to drive real change. This statement is true. Social media platforms have played a notable role in generating awareness and driving social and political movements globally. For instance, campaigns such as MeToo and Black Lives Matter have been propelled to prominence partly through 'hashtag activism' and social media has been instrumental in events like the Arab Spring, enabling activists to share events and organize actions, as discussed by Theresa Sauter and Gavin Kendall in their article 'Parrhesia and Democracy: Truth-telling, WikiLeaks and the Arab Spring.' However, social media can also present challenges to democracy, as platforms can be used by extremist groups to spread disinformation and incite violence, which demands careful curation and regulation. It's clear that social media can and has been an important tool for creating social change when utilized effectively.