Users in the UAE have over 10 social media accounts, a study has revealed. The study, involving 200 ’sources of information’, stated that 79 per cent of the Arab youth consider social media a primary news source, which is a 25 per cent rise since 2015.
On average, users in the Middle East spend 3.5 hours a day on social media platforms, according to the ‘How the Middle East Used Social Media in 2020’ report published by the New Media Academy on Sunday (March 14).
The academy has published its first comprehensive report on the use of social media in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including the most prominent highlights of social media in 2020, and the most influential on the Arab and global scene.
The report presents the most important trends that dominated social media platforms last year and reflects the dramatic increase in usage of these platforms in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
Rashid Al-Awadhi, chief executive officer (CEO) of the New Media Academy, said, "We have witnessed a rapid rise in the quantity, quality and diversity of digital content in the Middle East and the world over the past period due to individuals and institutions turning towards digital and virtual platforms in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
He said, "We hope that the Social Media Report 2020 will enable decision-makers and thought leaders in government and private sectors as well as content creators in the region to benefit from the reliable outputs to design relevant strategies that advance their current and future content on social media platforms in the best and most effective manner possible.”
The following are some of the key takeaways from the report:
- Over 200 sources of information were curated for this report
- 79 per cent of Arab youth consider social media a primary news source, a 25 per cent increase since 2015
- 65 per cent increase for influencers’ fanbase between February and August 2020
- 3.5 hours a day is the average time spent on social media by users in the Middle East
- The users in the UAE have over 10 social media accounts
- Egypt is the ninth-largest market for Facebook in the world and has over 44 million (m) users
- Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Egypt are among the 13 largest markets for Snapchat worldwide
- Google, WhatsApp and YouTube are among the top 10 brands in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/technology/uae-users-have-over-10-social-media-accounts-survey-reveals