South Mugirango Member of Parliament (MP) Sylvanus Osoro has cautioned youth in Kisii County against using social media to abuse and attack people they perceive as enemies. Speaking to residents at Ibencho Primary School on Thursday, when he launched the construction of new classrooms, Osoro said the internet should serve as a tool for opportunity and growth, not as a weapon for spreading hatred and insults.
Osoro urged school and university students to be alert to public service announcements on job opportunities posted online every Thursday and to apply promptly. He said many young people spend their time idly scrolling through their phones instead of using the internet to improve their chances of employment.
The legislator expressed regret over a recent incident where the Kenya Ports Authority advertised more than 400 jobs ranging from drivers to accountants. When he followed up to find out if any youth from his constituency had applied online so he could help push their applications, he found none. Yet, he said, the same youth keep approaching him asking for help to get employment.
“Now I am leaving here for Nyangweta. Parents have asked me to help their children get employment. How can I help them when they are not ready to help themselves by using the available open opportunities?” he wondered.
He warned that the misuse of social media to cause hatred among people is a crime with serious consequences. Platforms such as TikTok, X, Facebook, and WhatsApp have made it easy for harmful content to spread quickly, but that speed also carries legal and social risks. Under Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, online harassment, defamation, and incitement are punishable offences that can lead to arrest, heavy fines, and imprisonment.
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Beyond the legal risk, Osoro highlighted how careless posts damage reputations permanently. A single abusive video or message can circulate widely and follow a person for years, affecting their chances of getting a job, a scholarship, or the trust of their community. The mental and social harm is just as real. Cyberbullying and online hate contribute to anxiety, depression, and broken relationships for both victims and those who engage in it.
Osoro also pointed to the danger of community division. When social media becomes a space for insults and ethnic or political attacks, it erodes the unity and peace that hold communities together. He called on parents, teachers, and community leaders to guide youth toward responsible digital use so that online spaces become avenues for progress rather than conflict.
He concluded by encouraging youth in Kisii to see the internet as a resource for building their future. With the right approach, it can connect them to markets for local products, online courses, and opportunities beyond the county.
By Enock Okong’o
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