Photo for representation only.
Social media has undoubtedly transformed the way we communicate. The platform connects people from all corners of the world and has enabled the emergence of the ‘creator economy.’
This economy started as people unearthed the true potential of the internet, consequently, the rise of influencers.
For journalists, it presents an essential tool to gather and disseminate news faster. Social media has become a game-changer.
Since the launch of platforms like Friendster (2003), MySpace (2003), and then Facebook (2004), which were basically used for interactions, the social media space has grown with various digital spheres like Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and TikTok. On June 30, 2010, media and entertainment company Mashable started the Social Media Day to recognise the platform’s impact on conversation and bringing people together.
The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the significance of social media as people could connect with business associates, employers and employees, and family members instantly while the world came to a standstill.
“Social media has completely changed the way people consume news. This has only amplified in recent times due to the pandemic as people started spending more time on digital platforms,” a top social media analyst on news media told The Peninsula , confirming that Facebook and Twitter are the most active platforms for newspapers.
A 2019 report published by the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon in the United States titled, “Social Media in the Middle East: 2019 in review” stated that nine out of ten Mena youth used at least one social media channel daily. Half of the Arab youth said they get news on Facebook daily ahead of other channels, such as online portals (39%), television (34%), and newspapers (4%).
“This shift has opened up new avenues for traditional media, and most local media houses in Qatar have a presence in all leading social media platforms. This offers more ways to get the attention of readers, especially the young, and the acquisition cost is pretty low if used wisely.”
According to statista.com, over 3.6 billion people used social media worldwide in 2020. That number is projected to increase to almost 4.41 billion in 2025.
In Qatar, DataReportal’s survey disclosed that there were 2.88 million internet users in Qatar in January 2021, while 2.87 million used social media in Qatar in January 2021.
Qatar’s social media users were equivalent to 98.8% of the total population in the same period.
As stated earlier, social media platforms have become a haven for major brands to debut products, governments to reach out to people, and even sports stars and celebrities who make a handsome living as brand influencers.
“Social media, as its name suggests, is a vehicle to share information freely and instantly. In the past, bloggers created articles on websites, and it was a struggle to get proper SEO on the website to get traffic. Now the social media platforms do that work for you,” Mahdiya Farook, a Doha-based Sri Lankan lifestyle influencer, said.
“As long as you have content of value, within split seconds, you can have your message spread across a whole network of people, not just your followers but also their followers. Your content leaves a carbon footprint across your connections,” she added.
Farook, who has over 15,000 followers on Instagram, is among many influencers in Qatar and rates Instagram the most relatable.
“In Qatar, Instagram and Snapchat are the most popular platforms. Right now, TikTok is making a mark too. However, Instagram is the most interactive as it gives spaces to interact with your followers, share ideas and go live too. Though social media has revolutionised the way we interact, it has also proven to be a conduit for less progressive rhetoric, hate, and crimes, which has given voice to people calling for some restrictions across all platforms,” she said.
“I believe there should be no restrictions to using Social Media but certain guidelines for ethics and within community guidelines. I believe in conscious influencing. Sometimes, the downside to social media blogging is that bloggers share content without proper research, harming the community. If we are conscious about what we share, we can make a positive impact not just on our followers but the society as a whole,” Farook added.
