By Abdullahi Abdurashid H Kheyre
Monday October 6, 2025
In recent years, a worrying trend has begun to take hold of the hearts and minds of Somali youth — a growing obsession with fame on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. furthermore, we are seeing young people abandoning their dreams of becoming doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, business leaders, and political changemakers. Instead, many are investing all their energy in becoming TikTokers, YouTubers, and viral personalities.
This isn’t just about technology or entertainment — it’s a deep societal shift and while there's nothing wrong with being creative or using social media platforms for good, the danger lies in limiting our potential and shaping an entire generation aspiring around likes, follows, and fleeting internet fame.
A Generation That Could Build a Nation
Our somali youth league (SYL) fought for dignity, independence, education, and for opportunities. They envisioned a Somalia where the youth would rise as the backbone of the society —be well educated, visionary, and capable of leading the country to progress and be stable as a country.
But today, many young Somalis would rather go viral for a dance challenge than work towards a scholarship, they would rather gain clout from controversial content than contribute significantly to their community. We are witnessing the slow decline of ambition — not because our youth are lazy or brainless, but because they are being misguided by a culture that rewards vanity over value.
When the Government Idolizes social media, It becomes even more troubling when its officials and public institutions start elevating TikTokers and YouTubers, presenting them as role models without critically thinking. Yes, these individuals may be popular — but what message does it send to the youth when being famous is praised more than academics or civic achievement?
It sends the message that to be respected, you don’t need to study or work hard to serve society — you just need to go viral. This is a dangerous and unsustainable model for national development.
A Call for Real Role Models.
We need to bring back respect and recognition for Somali scientists, engineers, doctors, teachers, meditators, religious figures, inventors, parents, political leaders and entrepreneurs. These are the people who can truly shape the future of our country. These are the ones who should be speaking in schools, appearing on TV, and being invited to government events and formal occasions. The Youth need to see that there is pride in building, in solving problems, in venturing and discovering and in learning not just in entertaining.
Government and Community Responsibility.
It is high time the Somali government, civil society, educators, religious leaders, and parents come together to reset the compass of our youth. The actions to be taken include:
Implementing national youth programs that encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and education.
Promoting positive role models from various sectors such as agriculture, science, education, health, business, etc.
Regulating how the government platforms engage with influencers, making sure that the message being promoted is healthy, productive and of impact to the youth and the society.
Creating digital literacy programs to help youth understand the essence of social media — both its opportunities and damages.
Social media Should Be a Tool, not a Destination.
There is nothing wrong with using TikTok or YouTube; in fact, they can be powerful tools for education, entertainment, business marketing, communication, and advocacy. But it should not be the only dream. They should never replace the ambition to become something bigger than just a face on a screen. Let’s teach our youth that their value is not in followers, but in their impact. Let’s show them that their voice can be powerful not just in a comment section, but in parliament, in boardrooms, in classrooms, in hospitals, and in the very systems that build a nation. We are a people of resilience, of intelligence, of faith, and of dignity. Let’s not forget that.
Abdullahi Abdurashid H Kheyre
Certified Network Associate founder of kheyrle digital marketing web agency
Email. Abdullahi@kheyrledigital.com