Impact of Social Media in Arab world: 7,000 in 18 countries studied

The Organising Committee of the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced that the Arab Social Media Report, the first and largest report of its kind in the region, will be launched on the sidelines of the summit  onTuesday March 17 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
 
The report reviews the results of the analytical study of more than 7,000 social media users in 18 Arab countries by measuring their perceptions about social media platforms, and will offer a detailed view of their usage habits. The study also aims to identify the effects of social media on the society, the economy and business sectors.
 
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, said the report has much significance in view of the growing importance of social media in various aspects of life for both individuals and the community. Social media has influenced the development of businesses and created new mechanisms of interaction between governments and citizens, offering possibilities to promote sustainable development, Gergawi added.
 
Al Gergawi said: "The Arab Social Media Report represents the first step towards enhancing the use of social media platforms in increasing positive communication between individuals and all segments of the society and government entities. The report also provides an overview of the future plans in the promotion of the best use of social media channels at the local, regional and global levels."
 
The report has conducted in-depth research covering the regions of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Yemen, the Levant, Iraq and North Africa. The study was conducted through phone interviews with social media users in different parts of the Arab world, in addition to discussion groups of active social media users, and detailed interviews with experts on social media, communications, economy and public sector in order to identify their views on the effect of social media on the society, the economy and business sectors in the Arab world. It also shows the patterns of social media usage in the Arab world, in addition to the measurement of user impressions on these channels.
 
The report has examined the growing use of social media in the Arab world due to their ability to offer instant communication and exchange of information. It shows social media is particularly popular among the Arab youth, who constitute the biggest segment of the population using these channels. As a result, companies and media outlets are employing social media to strengthen their presence and gain access to customers and introduce them to products and services. Arab governments too have embraced social media to make use of the opportunities that these channels offer in enhancing communication with citizens.
 
The report highlights how the users in the Arab world are utilising social media channels for a variety uses such as keeping themselves abreast of latest events, exchanging ideas, images and videos or to obtain information about specific topics or to communicate with the world via the internet.
 
The report has classified Arab social media users into five major groups based on their behaviour and attitudes towards social media platforms. It highlights distinctive views on the use of social media channels and how they can be accessed. The report has identified chatting as the main activity undertaken on these channels. While smartphones have become the main tool for accessing social media platforms, ahead of laptops, evening is the preferred time for the majority of social media users, according to the report.
 
Arab Social Media Report provides a comprehensive overview of the reality of social media in the Arab world. The report offers detailed information on the use of social media channels in various Arab countries and the latest trends in the use of these channels.
 
The launch of the report is one of the most prominent events on the sidelines of the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, which brings together more than 1500 social media experts in the first event of its kind in region. The event involves the participation of all segments of the society to strengthen the role of social media in various aspects of life. It will enable young Arabs to employ their innovative ideas to serve the Arab community through optimal use of social media channels.

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