Build real communities beyond global platforms, Arab creators told

What would remain of the digital world if the internet suddenly disappeared? It was a question raised by Mena leaders of social media pioneers, including Meta, Snapchat and TikTok, during the Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries in Abu Dhabi, exploring the future of Arabic creative content.

- Haneen Dajani [e-mail]

Leaders at the conference urged Arab creators to build real communities and sustainable brands beyond global platforms.

"If the internet is cut, people will go back to forming real communities, spending time with each other and exchanging stories face to face," said Samer Lahoud, creative strategy lead at Snapchat Mena. "Our purpose as platforms should be to support those connections, not replace them."

Mazen Hayek, media advisor and former firector of MBC Group, warned that creators who rely solely on social platforms are building on fragile ground. "What remains for us as Arabs if the five major international platforms go dark tomorrow? If they shut down, how many of our creators would still have an audience?"