Social media users pursuit of popularity driven by portraying pain or hardship, questioned by Mary Njoku
In a thought-provoking statement, Nigerian actress Mary Njoku has expressed her concerns about the use of social media, particularly in the context of the country's entertainment industry and society at large.
Njoku, a prominent figure in Nollywood, has been the subject of criticism from film industry commentators and audiences, often focusing on her acting skills, production quality, and influence. However, some criticism has targeted perceived favoritism and the commercial nature of her projects.
Amidst this, Njoku has highlighted a broader issue. She believes that many people in Nigeria are more focused on clout, quick fame, and virality than on showing empathy. This, she argues, is a significant issue that has started to cloud humanity and drown out empathy on social media.
Njoku has observed that social platforms have been powerful tools for activism, justice, and community building in other parts of the world. However, she believes that in Nigeria, they have been used to package and repackage human suffering as skits, turning tragedies into trending videos.
This sensationalism concerns Njoku deeply. She chooses to face her real-world challenges and solve real problems with real people instead of logging onto social media. She urges her followers and fellow Nigerians to do the same, asking them to pause, breathe, and search inside for their humanity before posting or sharing content.
Njoku reminds her followers not to lose their sense of compassion in the race for online visibility. She questions why pain and tragedy are often turned into entertainment on social media, and believes that every tragedy should not be turned into a trending video.
Social media has been a powerful tool for rewriting narratives, exposing injustice, amplifying activism, and sparking nation-building around the world. However, Njoku finds pain and suffering being broadcast as entertainment on her social media feeds. She avoids social media because it has become filled with noise where struggles and pain are treated as content instead of being taken seriously.
In conclusion, Mary Njoku urges Nigerians to reflect before posting or sharing content, asking them to consider whether their actions amplify humanity or strip it away. She believes that every individual has a role to play in ensuring that social media is used responsibly and empathetically.
