If you walk through the streets of Baghdad, Basra, or Erbil, one thing is universal: the smartphone is the new television. For many young women, the phone is a portal to the outside world.
Unlike traditional media, which was often heavily regulated or censored, social media platforms offer a sense of freedom. Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have become the primary sources of entertainment. Here, Iraqi girls aren't just consumers; they are creators. From makeup tutorials that rival international beauty gurus to comedy sketches that poke fun at daily life in Iraq, the content is homegrown, relatable, and incredibly popular.
Popular media in Iraq has a new face, and it is filtered through Snapchat and Instagram. Unlike the polished, state-sponsored TV hosts of the past, the new wave of female influencers thrives on authentic chaos. Iraq Xxx Sexy Grils Cahting
Take Zahraa Abdulrahman (a pseudonym for a real rising star), who gained 500k followers by simply eating kahi (a traditional pastry) while ranting about the plot holes in Egyptian soap operas.
“The older generation thinks we are wasting time,” Zahraa says via voice note. “But when I review a movie or a series, I am teaching girls how to articulate their opinions. My chat room is a classroom for critical thinking.” If you walk through the streets of Baghdad,
These influencers have birthed a new genre: "Naqd Chat" (Critique Chat). It is half gossip, half literary analysis. They discuss everything from the portrayal of domestic violence in Saudi MBC dramas to the lack of strong Iraqi female leads in cinema.
Baghdad, Erbil, Basra – In a cramped living room in Baghdad’s Karrada district, three university students huddle around a single smartphone. They aren't gossiping about boys or school—they are recording a reaction video to the latest episode of Al Hayba (the hit Lebanese crime drama). Within hours, their commentary, laced with sharp Baghdad slang and feminist critique, will be shared across a closed WhatsApp group of 50 girls. Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have become the primary
This is the new "Chatting" culture of Iraq’s Gen Z women. Long overshadowed by news of politics and conflict, a quiet but powerful revolution is taking place in private chat bubbles and TikTok duets. For young Iraqi women, chatting is no longer just small talk; it is a sophisticated engine for consuming, dissecting, and creating popular media.