News

Social Media Addiction Is Greatly Impacting Arab Youth

A survey has revealed disturbing findings about social media consumption and its mental health impact on young people.

Published

3 years ago

October 12, 2023

Joanna Melki

social media addiction is greatly impacting arab youth

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As of 2023, the Arabic-speaking region has the highest per-capita levels of social media adoption globally, with the average internet user owning 8.4 accounts. Now, findings from the 15th annual ASDA’A BCW Arab Youth Survey have shown that a significant majority of the region’s youth are finding it challenging to disconnect from social media — something that is negatively impacting their mental health.

The survey highlights that the Arab world’s youth spend in excess of 3.5 hours a day on social media. Nearly 75% of users admit to struggling to disconnect from digital platforms, with 61% conceding that their mental health has suffered due to social media addiction.

Social media addiction has meant that a consensus has formed among young Arabs that big tech companies — such as Meta, Google, and X — hold “too much power”. Over 90% of respondents also think these companies are not doing enough to combat disinformation.

Another trend revealed by the survey is that a significant percentage of respondents (13%) aspire to be “social media influencers” rather than taking up careers in typically prestigious fields such as medicine or engineering.

Also Read: The Largest Data Breaches In The Middle East

Despite the increasing time and energy spent on social media platforms, nearly 60% of Arab Youth say traditional social experiences such as “eating out” and “hanging out with friends” are defining elements of their lifestyles. The findings suggest that even in the digital age, in-person social experiences remain important.

The Arab Youth’s growing dependence on social media is concerning and is clearly impacting mental health. As the region battles with high levels of youth unemployment, the findings of the ASDA’A BCW Arab Youth Survey call for a rethink of the role technology plays in the lives of young people and its impact on their future.

News

Ooredoo Qatar’s 5G+ Network Is Built For Machines As Much As People

Built on 5G Standalone and 5G Advanced, the upgrade lays the groundwork for Qatar’s 2030 digital ambitions.

Published

13 hours ago

October 16, 2026

Dana Saadeh

ooredoo qatar's 5g+ network is built for machines as much as people

Ooredoo Qatar has launched what it calls the country’s first 5G+ mobile network. Customers get faster connections, but much of what the operator is promising is aimed at machines.

5G+ isn’t a new generation of mobile technology so much as a layering of upgrades, building on 5G Standalone and 5G Advanced. The result is the familiar trio of higher speeds, greater capacity and lower latency.

For consumers, Ooredoo promises smoother streaming, more responsive gaming and steadier connections on the move. The service is commercially available through mobile broadband in 5G+ coverage areas, and the operator is aiming it at campers during the camping season. The network has been deployed at locations across Qatar, but the announcement doesn’t name them, say whether smartphone plans are included or put figures on the speed and latency gains.

The business case is more detailed: Greater capacity lets more devices connect and exchange data efficiently, while shorter response times support real-time equipment monitoring and automated processes. Network slicing tailors connectivity to specific uses, and 5G Advanced combined with edge computing targets mission-critical applications that require rapid responses. Expanded IoT capabilities cover industrial sensors, asset trackers and utility meters, the building blocks for automation and future smart city services. The company also cites AI-enabled services and complex digital workloads.

Also Read: WHOOP Goes Arabic, Betting On The Gulf’s Appetite For Health Data

“With the 5G+ network, we are enhancing everyday digital experiences for our consumers, enabling innovation, and strengthening the competitiveness of businesses across the country,” said Sheikh Ali bin Jabor bin Mohammad Al Thani, chief executive officer of Ooredoo Qatar.

“From launching the world’s first 5G network in 2018 to deploying Qatar’s first 5G Standalone core network, we have consistently advanced connectivity,” he added.

Ooredoo ties the rollout to Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Digital Agenda 2030, framing it as part of the country’s effort to strengthen its position as a leading regional digital hub. For that ambition, the devices that matter most may be the ones without screens.