Shafaq News
By Ali Hussein Feyli
A growing number of Iraqi teenagers and young adults arebuilding careers as content creators on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube,Instagram, and TikTok, reflecting a broader shift in the country's social andmedia landscape.
Although official figures are unavailable, digital mediamonitoring centers estimate that more than 32 million Iraqis, or about 70% ofthe population, use social media, with teenagers and young people making up thelargest share. These platforms have become spaces for public expression andshowcasing real-life trends.
This society is moving at an astonishing speed towarddigital modernity, driven by the vision of a new generation that feels entitledto break through traditional barriers and restrictions. They have turned thestreets and major shopping malls into gathering grounds just to meet awell-known social media personality. Meanwhile, quite a few people watch thisenthusiasm and ask in amazement: What are these young people searching for? Andwhere did these names come from that nobody seems to know?
For years, Iraqi youth have been shaping a media world thatexists largely outside official institutions, traditional forums, andtelevision networks. In most cases, the older generation fails to digest thismassive shift, continuing to believe that trust and fame must still adhere tothe standards of tradition and classic media. They remain unaware that thesepeople, some barely eighteen years old, view human relationships and modernrole models through an entirely different lens.
For this generation, despite everything being said about theprevalence of low-quality content, a wave of triviality, and poor language, acertain blogger or young YouTuber creating videos right from their bedroom is athousand times more relatable, far more expressive, and vastly more trustedthan any traditional or official figure. These creators build no walls betweenthemselves and their audience; without any filter, and with total spontaneityin their language, they voice their daily struggles, pains, and personalconnections. The secret to their staying power and popularity lies in theircandor and authenticity. When they read comments, they respond to them,creating a creating a genuine sense of participation in shaping and co-creatingthe content they deliver to their viewers and readers.
This is precisely where official institutions and majorlocal media outlets have fallen behind. Despite having greater resources,funding, and technical capabilities, they have yet to match the level ofaudience engagement achieved by digital creators, raising questions about theirfuture influence.
As the popularity of social media personalities continues togrow, and the appeal and influence of this digital space expand, we must stopdenying the impact of these “unknown street stars.” Rather than askingdismissive questions like: Who are they? or Does any of this even matter? Wemust recognize the undeniable truth: these stars are entirely self-made.
This article was originally written in Arabic.