Saudi social media celebrity accused of being a "negative influence" for showing off wealth

01:17 PM | 23 Jan, 2018

Afnan Al Batel, a prominent Saudi social media celebrity has come under fire for flaunting her wealth on social media.

Earlier this week, a now-viral hashtag, which accuses Al Batel of showing off her possessions was launched on Twitter to call on people to block the star on social media platforms.

Many are also criticizing Al Batel for encouraging people to buy "overpriced" products. by constantly posting adverts.

It sparked a heated debate among users, many of whom deemed the behaviour of rich and famous Arab social media influencers "destructive to youth" and "unacceptable."

Users were angered by her showing off her wealth;

شوف التفاخر بالبذخ الفاحش ملابس بمليون ريال !! صراحة الله يعين اللي يتابع هذي كيف ماجته جلطة للحين 👇🏻 #تبليك_افنان_الباتل_ونملتها٢ pic.twitter.com/F1rW4OTUBB
— MUHAMMAD (@MehmasMod) January 10, 2018

"She's showing off that she bought clothes for over a million riyals!!"

Many dubbed her as a"negative influence" on society;

من مضار هياط افنان الباتل على المجتمع #تبليك_افنان_الباتل_ونملتها2 pic.twitter.com/77ji6KVmP5
— جــوڕي *̷ (@jooori94) January 10, 2018

"One of Al Batel's negative effects on society."

https://twitter.com/abmohgha/status/951075470333837313

"Boys and girls complain about their realities and hate the lives they have because they've come to believe that life is all about luxurious outings, first-class travel, and brands."

ياليت يكون فيه حملة توعية لابناءنا وبناتنا بالحياة الحقيقة وليست حياة القشور التي يعيشها هؤلاء المدلسون #تبليك_افنان_الباتل_ونملتها٢
— بنت سلمان 🌷🌷 (@No0f73277677) January 10, 2018

"Life is nothing like the vain life these people lead and portray."

Many also criticized the adverts the star kept posting about;

#تبليك_افنان_الباتل_ونملتها٢ رابعا الي تفكر تعلن تتحرى بكل ذمه وضمير قبل تعرض لنا شي احنا في غنى عن اهدار وقتنا ومالنا عليه بدون مصداقية💔
— Someone like me; (@mi__amal) January 9, 2018

"Anyone who wants to advertise something must do that with integrity, they should try the products they ask people to go buy."

"I bet you that they've never tried any of the products they advertised"

اتحدى لو منتج واحد من الي اعلنوا عنه انهم قد جربوه!!! مستحيييلللل #تبليك_افنان_الباتل_ونملتها٢
— Miraz (@Miraz__) January 10, 2018

Some talked about who had given them their fame and power;

#تبليك_افنان_الباتل_ونملتها٢ #توقفوا_عن_جعل_التوافه_مشاهير
'

انتم من كتبتوا قصة شهرتهم وأنتم من يستطيع طمسها.
" الخيار بأيديكم "
— فيصل بن فهد المالكي (@Faisalbinfahad4) January 10, 2018

"You're the ones who made them famous, you're also the ones who can shut them down. It's all up to you."

However, not all the Tweets were against Al Batel, with some even defending her.

يضل حسابها ويومياتها هي حره اش تعرض فيها وعموما السناب ماهو برنامج تعليمي او تربوي يضل البرنامج بكبره تافه اللي خايف على اولاده لا يحمله وبس
— H. (@nintyyone) January 10, 2018

"It's her account and her daily life, she's free to post anything she wants on there. People who are worried over their children viewing things like this should simply not download social media apps."

صح اهي اسرفت بس ما لكم دخل فيها، انصحوها بس تشهر فيها عيب وبعدين الفلوس فلوسها ليه معصب تشب فيها ان شاءالله انتو مالكم دخل
— ريـم (@9Rreemm) January 10, 2018

"It's right that she is opulent but you have nothing to do with her. It's her money and she's free to spend it the way she wants to. It's unacceptable to defame her this way."