10/11/2025
Our research launched in March revealed a pressing reality: young people today get much of their information from social media—platforms that can inform, inspire, or mislead, sometimes even fueling violence.
Last week, during a peer-to-peer workshop, Zingo Zal Haruna Juma guided our peace ambassadors on using social media responsibly—promoting peaceful elections, encouraging youth participation, and spotting and curbing misinformation and disinformation.
We also explored how politicians across Africa have leveraged social media to engage young voters, learning from Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta (2013 & 2017), Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari (2015 & 2019), and Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo (2016 & 2020). Ugandan politicians are increasingly following suit—but at what cost, when online narratives can sometimes turn violent?
As social media use continues to rise, Zingo reminded participants to stay vigilant, protect themselves online, and use these platforms to foster peaceful participation in elections.
We’d love to hear from you: how can young people use social media to strengthen democracy rather than divide communities? Share your thoughts below!
