Paper short abstract:

This paper looks at the rise of populism in social media platforms and the impact it has on social cohesion within the African continent. The paper will also explore ways through which some of the negative results can be mitigated, taking lessons from other countries and continents.

Paper long abstract:

Africa has a majority youth population that is looking to be engaged productively, this population is always on the lookout for new opportunities. Online media has been embraced as entertainment and a source of information, including news. Social media has become a double edged sword, the news online is shaped by people’s opinions as opposed to people’s opinions being the ones being shaped by the news. The result is rising to populism online, information and news have become a commodity that is framed by social and political commentators to attract and retain an audience. Most of the accounts are conceived as a commercial ventures from the start.

Social media have increasingly come into focus as having a negative impact on social cohesion by creating “filter bubbles” and “echo chambers” that magnifies existing biases. There has also been the mainstreaming of conspiracy theories and incivility in public discourse. These populist attitudes go hand in hand with identity politics and does not accommodate differing views, which usually breeds divisions within society.

This paper looks at the rise of populism in social media platforms and the impact it has on social cohesion within the African continent. The paper will also explore ways through which some of the negative results can be mitigated, taking lessons from other countries and continents. This is with the view to protect communal bonds, shared norms and values that a critical to building a prosperous society.