Shahd Alhamdan
Saudis love social media; the Kingdom’s social media market is the highest in the Middle East, and has 2.4 million active Twitter users, or more than 40 percent of all active users in the Arab region.
According to another recent study, Saudi Arabia is ranked eighth in the world when it comes to Snapchat users; around 26 percent of Saudi teenagers use the application.
Around 2 billion photos and videos are sent globally everyday through Snapchat, but here are some other social media apps for sending images and video.
1. Periscope
A video and messaging application for iOS or Android that lets users record and publish videos live, on the spot. People can watch and send feedback on videos for up to 24 hours. The application was launched in 2014 by Kayvon Beykpour and Joe Bernstein, and was purchased by Twitter at the start of 2015.The application has begun to grab the attention of young Saudis in the past few months and they are starting to sign up.
2. Slingshot
Users of this application can send video messages as well as pictures that will only last for a short time, similar to Snapchat. Slingshot users can also respond with videos and photos to others, and they can also retake videos and photos if they need.
3. Wicker
Wicker is quickly becoming a popular app that allows users to broadcast and record videos and take photos and create text. What makes Wicker unique is that users can decide how long he or she wants others to be able to view text, photos, or even video messages.
4. Clipchat
Users can record video and take photos and send them to their friends easily. The messages will disappear after around five seconds. Clipchat’s developers say on their website that they believe that five seconds is the perfect amount of time to share any event or moment without viewers losing interest.
5. Cyber Dust
This application is a possible alternative to Snapchat when it comes to sending photos and texts. Users have the opportunity to also send stickers to others, as well as sharing their location. Messages are deleted after about 30 seconds.
