'Social media stealing Zimbabwean childhoods'

Once, Zimbabwean childhoods unfolded under open skies. Boys chased homemade plastic balls across dusty fields, their laughter ringing out like music. Girls sang folk songs that carried lessons of family and belonging. Children returned home at dusk with dusty feet and glowing hearts - symbols of joy, freedom and innocence.

That world is fading fast.

Today, many Zimbabwean children spend their days indoors, faces illuminated not by sunlight but by smartphone screens. Social media has become their new playground - one filled with vulgar, violent and sexually explicit content that is reshaping how they learn, think and behave.

Experts are warning that this unfiltered exposure is producing a generation grappling with anxiety, distorted self-images and early moral confusion. Psychiatrist Dr Anesu Chinoperekwei of Serenity Mind Centre says children are increasingly absorbing hyper-sexualised content that distorts their understanding of relationships, modesty and consent.

"They see influencers who dress provocatively, engage in risky behaviour or promote nightlife and drug use - before they fully understand what those things mean or the consequences," she explained. "This exposure often leads to shame, confusion and low self-worth."

Social media platforms such as TikTok, Twitter and Facebook offer endless streams of algorithm-driven content where vulgarity and shock often trend the fastest. In many of these spaces, substance use, violence and sexual content are not only visible but celebrated. "Screens are not just showing drug abuse - they are normalising it," Dr Chinoperekwei warned.

Community counsellor Tendai Chiguvare, who works with youths in Epworth, said the impact is becoming visible on the ground. "I have seen children between 12 and 16 experimenting with alcohol, cough syrup and inhalants after watching videos online. Parents often have no idea this is happening until it's too late," he said.

The digital world has also given rise to a darker form of abuse - cyberbullying. A 2022 study by researcher Vincent Mabvurira identified peer pressure, exposure to violent media and low self-esteem as key triggers. The effects include poor academic performance, depression and in some cases suicidal thoughts.

At SOS Hermann Gmeiner High School, principal Perpetual Masarira recalls incidents where students arrived at school in tears after being humiliated online. "Some learners are so afraid of checking their phones that they skip school entirely," she said. "The emotional trauma lingers long after the posts are deleted."

Globally, countries are taking drastic measures to protect children from the harmful effects of social media. Denmark recently announced a ban on social media for children under 15, citing rising rates of depression and anxiety linked to screen exposure. Australia has followed suit by prohibiting access for under-16s, while the United Kingdom's Online Safety Act now places legal responsibility on platforms to remove harmful content and protect minors. China limits minors to one hour of social media per day and enforces real-name registration, while the European Union's Digital Services Act compels companies to assess and mitigate risks to children online.

Zimbabwe is also moving in this direction. Information Communication Technology Minister Tatenda Mavetera has expressed concern about the growing risks of online exploitation and exposure to adult material. Research commissioned by the government revealed that nearly half of children aged between eight and 18 have been exposed to sexual content, while 13 percent have experienced cyberbullying. "A Child Online Protection Policy is on the cards. We look forward to bringing sanity to our internet," she said.

Legal expert Advocate Fungai Chikodzi noted that while Zimbabwe's Cyber and Data Protection Act obliges schools and platforms to protect minors, enforcement remains weak. "We have the laws, but implementation lags behind technology, leaving children vulnerable," he said.

For young people like 15-year-old Nyasha from Harare, the lure of social media is both exciting and confusing. "I see older teens drinking, smoking and dancing in ways that look fun, but sometimes it's scary," she admitted. "I don't always know if I should copy it or not."

Traditional leaders are also raising alarms. In Mahusekwa, Headman Luke Gondo has watched cultural values slowly erode as folk songs and storytelling are replaced by viral dance trends. "The screen offers a quick thrill, but it does not nourish the spirit like the stories of our ancestors," he said. "Values, respect and identity are slipping away."

Dr Chinoperekwei warns that excessive screen exposure also contributes to impulsivity, desensitisation, poor concentration and weaker physical health. Children who avoid outdoor play are losing vital social and emotional skills.

As Zimbabwe's youth navigate this new digital landscape, the nation stands at a crossroads. The past taught children through stories, friendship and play; the present teaches through trends, algorithms and unsupervised exposure. Technology does not have to be the enemy, but without guidance, it risks becoming a silent tyrant.

In the glow of a smartphone screen, a child scrolls - curious, alone, and unaware that the world they are discovering may be one their parents, teachers and even the law can no longer reach.