The advent of social media has heralded as a new era for democracy, promising unprecedented levels of connectivity, communication and community engagement. However, as highlighted in documentaries such as Adam Curtis's HyperNormalisation (2016) and Jeff Orlowski's "The Social Dilemma" (2020), the darker side of social media has come to the fore, revealing its potential to disrupt and destabilise democratic institutions.
While it has empowered individuals to share their voices and connect with others, it also faces ongoing challenges related to misinformation, hate speech and censorship. As social media continues to evolve, its impact on freedom of expression will remain a critical area of discussion and development.
"HyperNormalisation" examines how simplified narratives are created and, for instance, perpetuated by those in power to maintain control in a complex world. Social media, with its algorithms designed to maximise engagement, often amplifies these narratives, creating echo chambers where misinformation can flourish. This has led to a reality where truth becomes subjective, and divisive, emotional content spreads faster than factual information.
The two documentaries are necessary for young Kenyans to take time off from immersing themselves in social media consumption and engagement to watch at this point in time. Information is power.
"The Social Dilemma" takes this a step further by demonstrating how social media platforms manipulate user behaviour, spreading misinformation and fostering polarisation. The documentary highlights the role of algorithms in prioritising sensational content, which can lead to the erosion of trust in democratic institutions and the spread of extremist ideologies.
The recent Gen Z uprising in Kenya exemplifies the disruptive power of social media. Although sparked by genuine grievances about the risen cost of living and heavy taxation, these protests have been largely fuelled and manipulated by social media. While young Kenyans have used these platforms to organise and voice their concerns, there has also been a surge of misinformation and external influence which are undeniable.
The protests initially aimed at addressing economic hardship and political disillusionment quickly morphed into something more chaotic. This shift can be partially attributed to the amplification of extremist narratives on social media, where external actors with vested interests have sought to influence the course of events.
The presence of sophisticated disinformation campaigns suggests that Kenya is being used as an experiment in social media manipulation, testing the limits of how these platforms can disrupt a relatively stable democracy. This might sound farfetched, but we consider that majority of young people involved in the demos have been mostly of teenage up to early 20s, then the matter of the impact of subliminal messaging vis a vis their developing brains comes into sharp focus.
Kenya's strategic geopolitical position and its relatively robust democracy make it a prime target for external forces seeking to test social media's influence. Evidence points to the involvement of foreign entities, possibly including highly tech-savvy state and independent actors with a history of interfering in other nations' internal affairs and based in countries such as Russia, Israel and even North Korea.
These actors may be using Kenya as a testing ground for their disinformation tactics, aiming to sow discord and weaken democratic institutions. While the young people might feel empowered and ready to rumble by taking on government and the political class, the manipulation may not be something they can recover from unless they are to take time, read history and learn more.
Simultaneously, local business interests are also at play. Political figures, tenderpreneurs and other wheeler-dealers have been involved in the X spaces hosted by Gen Z opinion leaders seeking to leverage social media to further their own agendas.
The recent protests have seen the involvement of wealthy individuals who have historically benefited from political instability and are now using the chaos to their advantage. This confluence of external manipulation and internal opportunism creates a volatile environment where the true motivations behind the unrest become murky.
This manipulative use of media to incite unrest further complicates the political landscape and underscores the deep-rooted power struggles at play. This one reason why the young people have been cautioned to tread carefully and not offer themselves to danger that might be meted to them by unscrupulous people meddling with the hitherto peaceful demonstrations.
The documentaries "HyperNormalisation" and "The Social Dilemma" help us to learn more of the dangers posed by unchecked social media influence. Kenya's experience with the Gen Z uprising serves as a stark reminder of these risks. As Kenyans, it is crucial to remain vigilant and discerning, recognising the potential for social media to be used as a tool for both genuine advocacy and malicious manipulation.
Even as we push for change which is sorely needed especially to ensure better governance and improved quality of life in Kenya, we have to meticulous, work collectively as Kenyans and act protectively of our peace and future.
The stakes are high. The youth must critically assess the information they consume and share, understanding that they may be pawns in a larger game. External forces and local power brokers will continue to exploit social media's weaknesses, but an informed and discerning populace can resist these manipulations.
Democracy in Kenya, and indeed around the world, depends on our ability to navigate this new digital landscape with wisdom and integrity. Third world nations have been used as guinea pigs for the testing or development of various dimensions be it health, technology and more.
The divisiveness when it comes to issues that should be of major national concern is what keeps us lagging behind other nations. The recent video of some actors in Hollywood encouraging Kenyans to “anguka nayo” is a highest form of sarcasm and young people should refuse to continue taking the bait.
Political commentator