Is it activism or anarchy? The crisis in online space

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Is it activism or anarchy? The crisis in online space
A man shocked looking at his phone. (Courtesy/iStock)

A young entrepreneur posts her latest business idea on X, hoping to attract clients and investors. Within hours, the post is flooded with mocking comments, her photo edited into degrading memes, and her dreams ridiculed in the name of activism.

Sadly, her story is not unique.

According to a 2023 report by the Kenya Cybersecurity Authority, 43 per cent of Kenyans have experienced cyberbullying. Many of these cases nowadays are masked as fighting for change. What began as a call for better governance has evolved into an unsettling normalisation of online bullying, a trend that threatens to erode the moral fabric of our society.

Kenya’s vibrant online activism has long been a cornerstone of its democracy, providing a platform for young voices to demand accountability and advocate for justice. However, an alarming undercurrent has emerged; cyberbullying disguised as activism.

This toxic culture uses insults, character assassination, and demeaning imagery to attack anyone who disagrees with popular sentiments. Even the highest office in the land is not spared, with the President often subjected to vicious memes and vitriol. This debasement of discourse is celebrated as cool and revolutionary, blurring the line between activism and anarchy.

At the heart of this problem is the herd mentality. The allure of likes, retweets and viral fame drives individuals to join the mob, often without critically evaluating the morality of their actions. It is a chilling phenomenon where online dissent is silenced not through reasoned arguments but by a flood of personal attacks. Those brave enough to challenge the mob are met with an onslaught of insults, forcing them into silence. This is not activism. It is moral bankruptcy.

True activism is built on a foundation of ethics and morality.

In Kenya’s current online landscape, the moral compass appears broken. Cyberbullying, once universally condemned, is now justified as a means to an end. Insults replace dialogue and personal attacks overshadow substantive discussions. In this environment, the fight for change loses its legitimacy and becomes a tool for destruction. A society that glorifies such behaviour risks unraveling at its seams, with the ethical fabric that binds it together slowly disintegrating.

How, then, do we navigate this quagmire without stifling freedom of expression? The answer lies in redefining online activism through ethics and responsibility. First, we must reject the herd mentality and encourage individual critical thinking. Activism should not be about popularity or viral fame but about meaningful change. Each person must ask themselves: “Am I contributing to the solution, or am I perpetuating the problem?”

Second, we must promote respectful discourse, even in disagreement. Constructive criticism should be the hallmark of activism, not insults or demeaning imagery. Online platforms should become arenas for reasoned debate and dialogue, where ideas are challenged with facts and not personal attacks. Educators and mentors have a crucial role in guiding young people towards these ideals, instilling in them the values of respect and empathy.

Third, the law must be enforced to protect individuals from the harm of cyberbullying. Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act categorizes cyberbullying as a crime, but its enforcement remains inconsistent. Strengthening the implementation of these laws can deter perpetrators while reassuring victims that justice will be served.

Finally, we must draw inspiration from the leaders of the past, whose activism was grounded in morality. Their methods serve as a blueprint for how to agitate for change without resorting to the tactics of the oppressors.

Let us teach our young people the power of disciplined activism, one that uplifts and inspires rather than tears down and humiliates.

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