Why Gen Z in the Arab World Prefers Online Entertainment
Gen Z — those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s — is the most connected generation in the Arab world. With over 100 million Gen Z individuals in the MENA region, their habits are reshaping how people consume media. Traditional entertainment is fading. This generation wants fast, interactive, and personalized content — and they want it online.
Let’s take a closer look at why Gen Z prefers digital entertainment and how platforms are adapting to their needs.
Constantly Online, Constantly Engaged
Gen Z doesn’t “go online” — they live there. According to the Arab Youth Survey 2023:
- 89% of Arab youth use social media as their primary source of news
- 76% say they watch more content on YouTube than on traditional TV
- 71% regularly play online or mobile games
This generation values speed, relevance, and accessibility. They don’t wait for scheduled shows — they stream, scroll, and click in real time. If content isn’t mobile-friendly or instantly engaging, they simply swipe past it.
Short-Form Rules, Long-Form Follows
TikTok and Instagram Reels are the main stages for Gen Z expression and entertainment. In the UAE, TikTok usage has surged — over 60% of internet users aged 16–24 are active on the platform, according to GlobalWebIndex. These platforms offer instant engagement and user-driven trends that keep content fresh.
YouTube remains strong, especially for long-form content like vlogs, tutorials, and gaming streams. Influencers and niche creators often feel more authentic to Gen Z than traditional celebrities. This generation prefers realness over polish, and personality over production value.
Gaming as a Social Space
For Gen Z, gaming isn’t just a solo hobby — it’s how they hang out. Games like PUBG Mobile, FIFA, and Fortnite are popular across the region, turning into virtual meeting spaces.
But it’s not all about international titles. Regional platforms are gaining popularity by offering games tailored to local tastes. A growing segment of digital leisure includes platforms like Arab casinos, which provide culturally familiar interfaces, Arabic language support, and games designed with regional preferences in mind. These platforms meet Gen Z’s need for interactive fun that feels close to home.
The UAE: Leading the Shift
Nowhere is this digital shift more obvious than in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE has one of the highest smartphone penetration rates in the world — over 98%, according to DataReportal 2023. Combine that with excellent internet infrastructure and a young, tech-savvy population, and you get a perfect market for online entertainment.
Online casinos in UAE are part of this broader ecosystem. They deliver seamless, mobile-first gaming with local customization, modern UX, and secure payment options. These features matter to Gen Z, who expect everything — including entertainment — to be quick, intuitive, and accessible from their phone.
What Makes Gen Z Different
Here’s why Gen Z’s entertainment habits are shifting the market:
- They multitask. One screen isn’t enough — they chat, scroll, and stream all at once.
- They want interaction. Polls, comments, likes — content must feel alive.
- They ignore traditional ads. Native content or influencer mentions work better.
- They demand relevance. Global trends only matter if they align with personal interests or local context.
Entertainment platforms that understand this have an edge. Those that don’t? They’re already invisible.
Looking Forward
As Gen Z in the Arab world matures, they’re influencing more than just entertainment. Their habits are changing marketing, product design, and even cultural norms. They want content that reflects their identity — modern, diverse, and hyper-connected.
For companies and creators, this means thinking mobile-first, socially integrated, and culturally aware. Whether it’s streaming, gaming, or scrolling, the platforms that win will be the ones that adapt to how Gen Z lives — not how older generations used to be entertained.
And that future? It’s already here — and it’s online.
