By Tapiwanashe Hadzizi
Under the
Reporting Grants on Digital identity, Data and Technology in Africa
Proudly supported by
WITS CENTRE for JOURNALISM

Abstract

The paper examines the impact of how historically, mental health in the African health systems and development policies has been side-lined due to a myriad of reasons. The impacts of mental health are far-reaching and much has been learned, but far more remains unknown especially the conceptualization of mental health issues of the youth in the digital era, where social media is an integral part of their daily life in the African set-up.

The advancement of human race has witnessed an increasing use of technological gadgets and the internet. As the dividends of modernity unfolds, young people have been the frontrunners in using the web and internetbased platforms that allows people to connect with others on virtual social networks such as Facebook, YouTube, twitter, LinkedIn and Snap chart.

Through the use of qualitative and utilization of digital ethnography methods, the project articulated how the youth in Harare, Zimbabwe are using social media have become both victims and perpetrators of online social cruelties leading to social isolation, emotional distress, toxic online interaction, cyberbullying and loneliness.

Monumental mental health effects have been witnessed due to change in human agency processes leading to social media use related to suicides, abuse of drugs, online identity theft and character assassination.