On a typical morning in Windhoek, a 16-year-old girl scrolls through Instagram before getting out of bed. She’s not looking for news or inspiration, but she’s already comparing her life to influencers she’s never met.

 In Namibia, where much of the population is young, social media is not just a tool, it’s a mirror, a mask, and at times, a minefield. The Cambridge Dictionary defines social media as websites and computer programs that allow people to communicate and share information, opinions, pictures, and videos on the Internet, especially social networking websites.

As these platforms become more widespread, they influence how people express themselves, see the world, and understand their place and role in it.

According to Datareportal, a website that tracks internet usage statistics, Namibia had more than 754 000 active social media users in January 2025, equating to 24.9% of its total population. 

A Double-Edged Sword

Social media is not the villain it is often portrayed to be. It has opened doors once locked, creating space for innovation, connection, learning, and self-expression.

With 37% of Namibians under the age of 15 and a median age of just 22, its influence on the youth is undeniable.

Young Namibians are increasingly using social media to showcase their talents, raise awareness on critical issues, and are finding peer support, especially in rural areas where stigma and limited resources are significant barriers. For instance, a recent story published in The Namibian titled “I’m just a girl: A teenager’s courage amid the stigma of excessive facial hair” highlights how social media can offer emotional support. Maiso Servieh, a 24-year-old woman from the Oshana region, faced stigma due to excessive facial hair but found community and courage by sharing her journey on TikTok. Despite public mockery and limited access to healthcare, connecting online helped her break isolation and foster self-acceptance.

Platforms like Facebook and Instagram played a vital role in the 2020 #ShutItAllDown movement, where thousands of young Namibians took to the streets of Windhoek to protest against gender-based violence.

Likewise, LinkedIn, which had over 460 000 Namibian members in early 2025, has become a digital space for career growth and mentorship.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, when face-to-face learning was disrupted, tools like WhatsApp became essential for communication and education for both students and teachers.

These are prime examples of how social media can be a catalyst for positive change.

However, social media is not without its perils.  The very platforms that connect and empower can also harm. They consume time that could be used productively and can become addictive. Apps like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat keep users engaged through endless content loops, encouraging constant comparison, imitation, and competition.

The Pressure to Conform

What begins as connection can quickly turn into pressure. Scrolling through curated images of perfect bodies, luxury lifestyles, and flawless relationships breeds insecurity.

This is especially true for adolescents, who may develop body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and unhealthy habits in pursuit of online “perfection.”

Many young people are trapped in a cycle of comparison, constantly measuring their real lives against others’ edited highlights.

This pressure is intensified by influencers who exaggerate their lifestyles with filtered photos, exotic vacations, and designer brands, creating a false sense of normality.

Adolescence is already a fragile period of development and it becomes even more complicated under this kind of pressure. The constant bombardment of idealised images can leave young people feeling invisible, uncertain, and unworthy.

While there’s nothing wrong with sharing beautiful moments, the overemphasis on appearance and status can overshadow more meaningful uses of these platforms.

Social Media and Identity

As social media become more prevalent, traditional identity formation, once influenced primarily by family, school, and real-life social interaction has shifted to the virtual space. 

The desire for online validation through likes and followers can distort self-worth, where adolescents’ identities are moulded more by digital approval than real world values.

What Can Be Done

The responsibility to protect youth from harmful online content and behaviour should be a shared responsibility.

Parents, teachers, and communities must all play an active role in building digital literacy and emotional resilience. 

This begins by modelling responsible online behaviour, as children and youth often learn habits from what they see around them.

Parents should monitor how much time their children spend online, set screen-time boundaries, and encourage activities that build real-world confidence. They should also guide children towards pages and content that inspire, educate, and uplift.

Moreover, open communication is essential. Young people need safe spaces to be heard without judgment. The youth should feel safe to express how certain content makes them feel, whether it excites, motivates, or harms.

Platforms like Instagram offer tools to set screen time limits, features that are underused but highly valuable.

Moving Forward

Social media isn’t going away. It is part of our world, but it is essential for young Namibians to approach it with caution and mindfulness. When used responsibly, it can be a force for good, however, when left unchecked, it can quietly erode confidence, mental health, and identity.

That same 16-year-old girl in Windhoek may still scroll through Instagram each morning, but now she knows her worth is not measured by likes or filtered images. She follows uplifting content, sets boundaries, and speaks openly about how online spaces affect her. 

With guidance, awareness, she resists pressure and embraces authenticity. Social media remains a part of her life, only this time, on her terms. In choosing confidence over comparison, she becomes the author of her own digital story.

*Kazara Ndovazu is communications strategist and youth empowerment advocate from Orokapare, Kunene region. He writes in his personal capacity.