A generation caught between digital promise and digital peril
They inform, entertain and connect — but they can also manipulate, divide and expose. In Cameroon, social media has become an inescapable part of daily life for young people. From learning opportunities and digital entrepreneurship to freedom of expression, these platforms are opening new horizons. In a recent edition of the program PasSansElles, young Cameroonians took the floor to share their experiences, their concerns and their views on how social media is shaping their lives. The discussion brought together entrepreneurs, influencers and journalists.
Participants explained how platforms help them promote their activities, share knowledge, reach a wide audience and build communities. Several examples showed that social media can encourage young people’s expression, support marginalized groups and offer economic opportunities.
When the downside outweighs the scroll
Yet the same young people are quick to point out the main pitfalls: addiction, misinformation, image and content theft, social comparison and the overexposure of private life. Some speakers lamented that many young people often favor purely entertaining content over educational or inspiring material.
The call for digital literacy
Guests stressed the need for digital education, responsible and conscious use of social media, and the importance of developing critical thinking when faced with information and content shared online. Their central message: social media is neither good nor bad in itself — everything depends on how it is used.
