\n 2026-07-27T22:31:11+00:00<\/p>\n
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Shafaq News<\/p>\n
By Ali Hussein Feyli<\/p>\n
A growing number of Iraqi teenagers and young adults are
\nbuilding careers as content creators on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube,
\nInstagram, and TikTok, reflecting a broader shift in the country’s social and
\nmedia landscape.<\/p>\n
Although official figures are unavailable, digital media
\nmonitoring centers estimate that more than 32 million Iraqis, or about 70% of
\nthe population, use social media, with teenagers and young people making up the
\nlargest share. These platforms have become spaces for public expression and
\nshowcasing real-life trends.<\/p>\n
This society is moving at an astonishing speed toward
\ndigital modernity, driven by the vision of a new generation that feels entitled
\nto break through traditional barriers and restrictions. They have turned the
\nstreets and major shopping malls into gathering grounds just to meet a
\nwell-known social media personality. Meanwhile, quite a few people watch this
\nenthusiasm and ask in amazement: What are these young people searching for? And
\nwhere did these names come from that nobody seems to know?<\/p>\n
For years, Iraqi youth have been shaping a media world that
\nexists largely outside official institutions, traditional forums, and
\ntelevision networks. In most cases, the older generation fails to digest this
\nmassive shift, continuing to believe that trust and fame must still adhere to
\nthe standards of tradition and classic media. They remain unaware that these
\npeople, some barely eighteen years old, view human relationships and modern
\nrole models through an entirely different lens.<\/p>\n
For this generation, despite everything being said about the
\nprevalence of low-quality content, a wave of triviality, and poor language, a
\ncertain blogger or young YouTuber creating videos right from their bedroom is a
\nthousand times more relatable, far more expressive, and vastly more trusted
\nthan any traditional or official figure. These creators build no walls between
\nthemselves and their audience; without any filter, and with total spontaneity
\nin their language, they voice their daily struggles, pains, and personal
\nconnections. The secret to their staying power and popularity lies in their
\ncandor and authenticity. When they read comments, they respond to them,
\ncreating a creating a genuine sense of participation in shaping and co-creating
\nthe content they deliver to their viewers and readers.<\/p>\n
This is precisely where official institutions and major
\nlocal media outlets have fallen behind. Despite having greater resources,
\nfunding, and technical capabilities, they have yet to match the level of
\naudience engagement achieved by digital creators, raising questions about their
\nfuture influence.<\/p>\n
As the popularity of social media personalities continues to
\ngrow, and the appeal and influence of this digital space expand, we must stop
\ndenying the impact of these \u201cunknown street stars.\u201d Rather than asking
\ndismissive questions like: Who are they? or Does any of this even matter? We
\nmust recognize the undeniable truth: these stars are entirely self-made.<\/p>\n