17/09/2025
Fridah Mwenge Page writes,
When I look around at how we as youths use social media, it really makes me think. Opportunities are posted every single day scholarships, internships, trainings, skills we can learn for free! but most of us are not paying attention. What catches our eyes instead are the trending videos, celebrity arguments or the latest gossip.
Take a simple example. A page like the Zambian National STEM Foundation can post an opportunity for youths and that post will struggle to reach even 30 likes. Yet, if a celebrity scandal is posted, it will easily attract thousands of reactions.
This is a reality that should make us stop and think. Why is it that something that can shape our future is ignored, while something that only entertains us gets all the attention?
Yes, there are people who earn a living through the same entertainment and I respect that. But for many of us, the story is different. We are simply scrolling for the laughter, the gossip and the trends while forgetting that the same platforms can be used to build our futures.
This is not to say entertainment is wrong. We all need it from time to time. But the question remains: what are you gaining from it? What difference will it make in your life tomorrow? Because while entertainment passes quickly, skills and knowledge remain with you.
Social media has always been powerful. It can either waste your time or change your life. Through social media, you can learn survival skills, you can network, you can discover doors you never thought could open etc. and these tools are already in our hands but we are not using them to our advantage!
It’s high time we started being intentional. Let us ask ourselves questions about how we are spending our time online. Follow what adds value, search for opportunities and not just trends. The choice is ours either to be consumed by what trends or to use these tools to build a future worth trending for.🙌🏼📍