BY CALEB MWAMISI
In Kenya and much of Africa,
a troubling emerging trend
of shunning and thoughtful reading is dangerous and
threatening personal and national
development.
This is symptomatic of a society increasingly shaped by digital consumption.
Largely driven by the pervasive influence of social media, traditional modes of learning and intellectual engagement are declining, even dumped In the dustbin.
Platforms such as Tik Tok, Instagram Reels, and WhatsApp promote brevity and simplicity, distilling complex narratives and nuanced reality into fleeting moments of entertainment and viral trends.
While these media foster connectivity and instant gratification, they often sacrifice the depth and rigour necessary for critical thinking and informed decision-making.
The consequences of this trend are profound.
A generation is becoming accustomed to scanning information rather than engaging with it, absorbing snippets lacking context and depth.
This shift not only undermines how individuals process and understand the world but also leaves them vulnerable to misinformation, echo chambers, and a superficial grasp of vital issues, or lack of interest in them.
Moreover, it fosters a cycle of intellectual disengagement, where the pursuit of quick dopamine hits from likes and shares takes precedence over genuine knowledge acquisition.
The result is a culture of intellectual shallowness already evident in various aspects of life, such as compromised academic performance and superficial political and social discourse, if any.
This alarming trend has implications beyond individual cognition, as it shapes broader societal dynamics and threatens Kenya’s potential to fully harness its demographic dividend of a youth ‘bulge.’
Without intervention, the effects of this reading-averse culture could ripple through cognitive, social, and economic spheres, undermining the continent’s ability to innovate, engage in critical debates, and achieve sustainable development.
The challenge is not just to adapt to this digital reality but also to recalibrate its influence, maximising its genuine benefits and embedding instead a culture that values depth and comprehension in a fast-paced digital world.
At the heart of this issue is a diminishing ability to engage with complexity.
The youth, bombarded with rapid, superficial information, are losing the capacity to critically evaluate or synthesise data.
In Kenya, this trend has been starkly visible in social movements.
For instance, during the #RejectFinanceBill protests, Gen Z activists took to the streets and social media, vocally condemning government actions and demanding outcomes that, although well-intentioned, were often unrealistic given the prevailing economic realities.
These demands included calls for immediate reductions in taxation and fuel costs, without acknowledging Kenya’s fiscal constraints or the broader global context of rising interest rates.
The government, grappling with significant debt obligations and the need for sustainable revenue streams, found itself vilified for measures that were, in many ways, inevitable under the circumstances.
The activists’ failure to understand the complexities of these interconnected issues reduced their advocacy to reactive, emotional responses, overshadowing more pragmatic, constructive dialogue.
This intellectual detachment is not only weakening public discourse but also disempowering young people from becoming informed contributors to governance and reform.
The opportunity to champion viable alternatives and engage meaningfully with policy decisions is often lost in favour of quick, emotive reactions shaped by social media echo chambers.
This behaviour underscores the urgent need for digital literacy programmes promoting critical thinking and informed debate, enabling youth to engage beyond surface-level trends and become catalysts for durable change.
The impact on the social landscape is similarly concerning.
Social media cultivates a performative culture where appearances often take precedence over substance.
Young Kenyans increasingly prioritise aesthetics and shock value over authentic, meaningful interactions.
This is particularly evident on platforms such as Tik Tok, where, for instance, some women resort to nudity and suggestive content to raise their visibility and engagement metrics.
Videos featuring foul language, exaggerated drama, and attention-grabbing actions gain popularity not because of their value or creativity, but their ability to provoke immediate reactions — whether amusement, outrage, or curiosity.
This trend diminishes the quality of online discourse and fosters a simplistic approach to self-expression. Instead of cultivating genuine connections or sharing impactful messages, much of the content prioritises spectacle over significance.
This obsession with viral trends detaches individuals from real-world complexities, leaving many ill equipped to navigate situations that demand patience, critical thinking, and emotional depth.
The same superficiality is evident in national protests, where dramatic, symbolic actions often overshadow substantive, solution-oriented dialogue.
Kenya’s Gen Z-led protests against government policies provide a clear example, with many opting for performative displays designed to attract social media attention, rather than working towards meaningful change.
This tendency highlights a troubling cultural shift, where performative expressions dominate, undermining opportunities for constructive engagement and personal growth.
Economically, the lack of attention to detail and deeper enquiry has significant implications.
Employers are increasingly frustrated by the decline in problem-solving skills and initiative among young professionals.
The fixation on shortcuts rather than long-term learning hampers innovation, leaving many unprepared for the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.
In Kenya, where unemployment remains a pressing issue, this dynamic perpetuates cycles of underperformance and missed opportunities, exacerbating income inequality and economic stagnation.
While social media has revolutionised communication in Kenya and beyond, its dominance must not come at the expense of intellectual depth.
Kenyan and African youth have long been agents of change — from university protests in earlier years to today’s digital activism.
The challenge now lies in reclaiming the balance: leveraging the power and benefits of technology while nurturing a culture of depth, reflection, and resilience.
Only by doing so can the continent fully unlock its potential and navigate both local and global challenges with informed determination.
This emerging culture of intellectual shallowness also poses a significant challenge for politicians in Kenya, who find themselves caught in the crossfire of a populace influenced by shallow, emotive digital narratives.
Politicians, once reliant on policy discussions and grassroots mobilisation, now contend with voters who often base their opinions on viral hashtags or sensational videos, rather than a comprehensive understanding of governance issues.
The result is a political environment marked by unrealistic demands, widespread misinformation, and the rapid erosion of public trust.
For example, leaders advocating essential but complex fiscal reforms face immediate backlash online, as many citizens dismiss these measures without comprehending their broader economic necessity.
A good example is the voting around Finance Bill 2024.
The performative nature of social media forces politicians to prioritise optics over substance, investing more in public relations campaigns to counter trending narratives than in addressing pressing core issues. hand.
This
cultural shift not only hinders effective governance but also diminishes
the quality of political discourse, as
leaders are increasingly compelled
to cater to a poorly informed and
digitally reactive audience rather than an electorate engaged in
thoughtful deliberation.
