then 'Add to home screen'
then 'Add to home screen'
We love the internet — it’s where we hustle, laugh, share stories, and stay connected. But beneath the memes, hashtags, and trending topics, a darker force brews: cyberbullying.
This isn’t just about rude comments. It’s calculated, cruel, and increasingly dangerous. What starts as a joke can ruin reputations, destroy careers, or even push someone to the edge.
Just recently, award-winning ZImbabwean gospel artist Dorcas Moyo found herself in the eye of a digital storm. Not because of a scandal. Not because of controversy. But simply because she dared to shine.
Social media was flooded with nasty comments. People questioned her character, mocked her looks, and twisted her words. Others hid behind ghost accounts to spread rumors, turning her success into a battlefield of hate. This wasn’t critique. It was targeted cyberbullying. And Dorcas is not alone.
What Counts as Cyberbullying? It’s More Than You Think
Cyberbullying isn’t just direct insults. It includes:
Public shaming: Taking someone’s old post or picture and making them go viral for mockery.
Doxxing: Publishing someone’s private info like phone numbers, school, or workplace.
Revenge porn: Sharing explicit content without consent — a massive problem in parts of East and West Africa.
Mass reporting: Organizing a group to get someone’s account banned, not because of harm, but for spite.
Harassment mobs: Twitter/X threads that spiral into witch-hunts over a misunderstood opinion.
The Internet Never Forgets. But It Also Never Thinks.
Cyberbullying is psychological warfare fought in pixels and likes. It’s public humiliation at a global scale. It’s groupthink gone rogue.
African influencers, musicians, and even businesspeople have found themselves “killed” online — not by fate, but by keyboard warriors.
-
False death messages spread like wildfire: “So-and-so has died. MHSRIP.”
-
Families panic. Friends cry.
-
Then the victim logs in to say: “I’m alive.”
These aren’t pranks. They’re psychological attacks. Some people do it for clout. Others to settle grudges. But the impact is always the same: chaos, confusion, and trauma.
The Rise of Ghost Accounts
What makes it worse? Most bullies don’t even show their faces.
They create fake profiles with stolen pictures or no display photo at all. They post from burner accounts. They know they won’t get caught — and that makes them bolder.
These ghost users do the dirtiest work:
-
Spread false gossip in Facebook groups
-
Leak doctored screenshots
-
Attack public figures under every post
And while some scroll past or laugh along, victims are left to pick up the pieces in silence.
The AI Threat Is Already Here
Now, add a new weapon to the mix: Artificial Intelligence.
Imagine this:
-
Someone creates a fake audio clip of you insulting a public figure.
-
They use AI to make a deepfake video of you doing something you never did.
-
Or they generate fake nudes, then threaten to “leak” them if you don’t pay.
This is not science fiction. It’s already happening and the worst part is that most people won’t know it’s fake until the damage is done.
AI has the power to fake evidence — and cyberbullies are learning fast.
So, Where Do We Go From Here?
We can’t afford to let the digital space become a warzone. As Africa’s online population grows, we must create a culture of accountability.
Here’s how we start:
-
Stop the “it’s just social media” excuse. Words hurt. Screenshots stay. Some people don’t recover.
-
Report ghost accounts. If someone’s always causing chaos from a faceless profile, call it out and report it.
-
Don’t forward fake news. Whether it’s a death hoax or a fake scandal, verify before you amplify.
-
Support victims. A message of support can drown out 100 hateful comments.
-
Push for laws that protect without abusing. We need clear, fair digital policies that punish bullies — not silence truth-tellers.
Before You Type, Ask — Would I Say This in Real Life?
Cyberbullying isn’t just hurting strangers anymore. It’s hitting our sisters, our brothers, our role models, our future leaders. It’s eating away at the good in our online spaces.
You don’t need to hold a mic or have a million followers to make a difference. All it takes is choosing empathy over ego. Truth over trolling. People over popularity.
Because sometimes, the most dangerous person online… is the one hiding behind a fake name.
