As concerns grow over the amount of time young people spend on social media, technology expert Glenn Mwansa says the issue should not be viewed as a problem caused by digital platforms alone, but as a reflection of deeper social and economic challenges.
Speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times -ZBT,Mwansa said the widespread use of social media has been driven by increased access to the internet, smartphones and digital platforms, making online engagement a normal part of everyday life.
“Social media has become a source of information and also a source of business,” Mwansa said, explaining that many people now earn a living by operating online stores and using digital platforms to market their products and services. “What we are seeing are the symptoms of addiction,” he said.
Mwansa explained that excessive social media use is often fuelled by underlying issues such as unemployment, loneliness and misconceptions that influence people’s behaviour. He said some individuals turn to social media to fill emotional gaps, seek connection or simply pass time because they have little else to occupy them.
“We are seeing a lot of people on Facebook, but do we know what is leading to social media? We have to look at the bottom line of it,” he said. He added that society should pay greater attention to the underlying causes rather than focusing solely on the visible effects. “Social media itself is not a problem.
The problem is the iceberg underneath. It’s what is underneath the iceberg. Those are the things that we should be looking at and minding,” he said. Mwansa further observed that improving economic productivity and creating more employment opportunities could help reduce excessive dependence on social media, particularly among young people. He argued that people who have meaningful work or structured daily activities are generally less likely to spend prolonged periods aimlessly scrolling online.
Article by Karen Ngulube
