Katch How Digitalisation is Levelling Up Everyday Life in the Kingdom

1st July, 2026 | Digital, Social Media

by - Beth Laverty

When video games become part of the school curriculum, you know a society is thinking differently about the future

 

Yes, you heard that right. Game development and esports are set to become part of the educational programme in Saudi Arabia. Imagine playing video games as homework? We were born in the wrong generation.

 

All jokes aside, this somewhat incredulous addition to classrooms across the nation is a clear indication of a wider societal shift and shows how Saudi Arabia is nurturing its young, already digitally native generation. This embracing of digitalisation is evident far beyond schools, too. Ordering food, booking a taxi, paying for shopping, and even turning on the AC can now all be done through your phone.

 

But what does this mean for how we live, work, and play? In today’s blog, we explore exactly that, as well as how digitalisation in Saudi Arabia is transforming consumer behaviour and branding.

 

Digital-First Youth Culture

Before anything else, let’s delve a little deeper into the Kingdom’s young, tech-savvy population. This is an important place to start because not only are over 70% of the population under 35, but the habits, interests, and motivations of the younger generation largely influence what happens next.

 

Nelson Mandela famously said, ‘The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow,’ and this has perhaps never been as apt as it is today. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are already shaping the future of the country with their love of technology, and the Saudi government is following their lead. Younger users aged 18 to 24 are highly active on TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, living for short-form videos, interactive filters, and whatever trend is blowing up that week. At the same time, they are clocking an average of 6.5 hours a week gaming on platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite, using virtual worlds as social hangouts, creative studios, and competitive arenas.

 

In response, the Kingdom is building smarter systems around this new technology. Initiatives like Protecting Children in Cyberspace focus on making online spaces safer for young users, while Vision 2030’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy turns gaming into a viable career pathway with real infrastructure and opportunity. Add the integration of game development and esports into school curricula through partnerships with Savvy Games Group, and it’s clear that Saudi Arabia isn’t playing around. Digital is the way forward.

Everyday Life Has Gone Digital

While most of us aren’t as chronically online as younger generations and we still have no idea what ‘Six Seven’ means, digitalisation in Saudi Arabia is already reimagining daily routines. Lose your phone for five minutes and suddenly you’re stranded, no maps, no bank card, no contacts, no clue. It shows just how dependent we’ve quietly become on the tiny screen in our hands.

 

From the moment you wake up, technology is already clocked in and working overtime. Before we’ve even left the bed, we’re scrolling through social feeds or asking Alexa what the weather’s like to help plan our outfit for the day. Head to the kitchen, realise there’s no milk for your morning coffee, and it’s barely an inconvenience.

 

A few taps on Noon Minutes, your go-to oat milk is on its way, and it’ll probably arrive before you’ve finished getting ready. Cash? Don’t know her. Card? Somewhere in the house. Apple Pay? Never fails.

Shifts in Consumer Behaviour

For most of the population, digitalisation is making life that bit easier, but for brands in Saudi Arabia, it means working harder to meet evolving expectations. As a PR agency based in Riyadh, Katch has experienced these shifts first-hand. In recent years, advances in technology and more time spent online mean Saudi consumers are prioritising speed, convenience, and reliability more than ever.

 

With over 99% internet penetration in the Kingdom, users are fluent in tech and expect search, selection, and payment to happen in just a few clicks. Rather than comparing brands purely on loyalty or price, consumers now measure every experience against the fastest and most seamless interaction they’ve ever had. For Saudi Arabia’s young population, life moves quickly, so services and customer experiences need to be one step ahead.

How Brands in Saudi Arabia Can Embrace Digitalisation

If you want to win over the Saudi audience, investing in a seamless UX across websites, apps, and social commerce platforms is non-negotiable. Of course, in-person experiences still matter, but having the right technology behind your brand ties the whole thing together. An omnichannel approach works particularly well in the Kingdom, creating a cohesive brand journey where physical and digital touchpoints work just as efficiently.

 

Other adjustments include integrating flexible payment options, such as BNPL, which speaks directly to convenience-driven shoppers, or introducing AI chatbots and automation to ensure responses are as quick as the culture demands.

 

If you want to take things a step further, get creative with immersive touches like branded AR filters on Snapchat, much like Faces did with its Saudi National Day lens that reached millions of users across the Kingdom. Alternatively, leverage the power of influencer marketing in Saudi Arabia to collaborate with Gen Alpha’s favourite creators or gamers. Whatever it is, just make sure it feels authentic and culturally relevant.

 

Ready to Level Up?

Digital life in the Kingdom moves quickly, and expectations move even quicker. The audience is young, connected, and completely comfortable living online, which means brands need to design experiences that feel just as natural. So, keep up, level up, or get left on read.

 

For more related updates and to Katch us covering similar topics, watch this space!

 

Katch our game-changing PR and Communications, Social Media, Branding and Design, Brand Consultancy, ESG, and Global Communications services to help your brand make noise. Get in touch with our 360-Marketing Consultancy in Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and London, and let’s get the conversation started!