They inform, entertain and connect… but they can also manipulate, divide and expose. In Cameroon, social media now hold an unavoidable place in the daily lives of young people. Between learning opportunities, digital entrepreneurship and freedom of expression, they open new perspectives. This edition of PasSansElles examined the impact of social media on young people in Cameroon, bringing together entrepreneurs, influencers and journalists.

Participants explained how platforms allow them to promote their activities, share knowledge, reach a wide audience and build communities. Several examples showed that social media can foster young people’s expression, support marginalized individuals and offer economic opportunities.

However, young people point to the main pitfalls: addiction, disinformation, image and content piracy, social comparison and overexposure of private life. Some speakers regretted that many young people often favour purely entertaining content over educational or inspiring content.

Media literacy

Guests stressed the need for digital education, responsible and conscious use of social media, and the importance of developing critical thinking towards information and content shared online. Their main message is that social media are neither good nor bad in themselves: it all depends on how they are used.