Social media influencers should take responsibility

Great responsibility, the guardians of the French revolution used to say, follows inseparably from great power. It is a tenet the revolutionaries violated but one which the deities of our own digital age – the so-called social media influencers – would do well to uphold. While some deploy their popularity on social media to raise awareness or activate mass movements in support of good causes, others use their fame only to perpetuate it; the former may be divisive in seeking social justice but the latter can be reckless in pursuit of notoriety.

It is from this impulse that the "kiki challenge" – which originated in an innocuous Instagram video of a man dancing on the street to a song by the Canadian rapper Drake and grew into a viral trend that now dares users to dance to the same song alongside moving vehicles – emerged. Videos posted on the internet show drivers jumping out of their cars to perform the stunt and losing control of their vehicles, endangering other commuters on the road. Spanish authorities have released a video compilation showing drivers smashing into lampposts as they attempt to record themselves. Egypt has banned the challenge.

And Abu Dhabi has rightly sought to arrest a trio of social media influencers who sought to spread the trend in the UAE. The response to those who abuse their position to foster hazardous and harmful behaviour should be punitive. Motorists caught taking part in the challenge could face up to Dh2,000 in fines and 23 black points on their licences in addition to the confiscation of their cars.

The power of influencers has often been tethered to worthwhile causes. Recently, when the actress Natalie Portman took to Instagram to explain her opposition to the politics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it prompted a wider conversation in the Jewish diaspora where Ms Portman is known primarily as a prominent supporter of Israel. Similarly, it was an exchange on Twitter that prompted the New Zealand singer Lorde to look deeper into Israel's conduct and cancel her tour of the country. But firm and decisive action is the best deterrent against those who put the internet to baleful uses. Social media influencers and posters should realise that they possess immense power to sway their followers, who are often young and impressionable. Their cult status comes with a certain level of responsibility. They should be under no illusions: if they abuse it, they should and will be reined in.

Key findings of Jenkins report

Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."

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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

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Porsche Macan T: The Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm

Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto

Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec

Top speed: 232kph

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km

On sale: May or June

Price: From Dh259,900

How Filipinos in the UAE invest

A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.

Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).

Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri

Rating: 1/5

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.