Social media and respect in the digital age.
Written by: Koketso Sekhu
What would you do without social media? In a world where connection happens at the tap of a screen, social media has become our daily language , shaping how we communicate, express ourselves, and even define our identities. Yet, as powerful as these digital spaces are, they also test our humanity: How are you using your voice online? Are you using your platform to respect, uplift, and protect others , or to harm, judge, and exploit?
On the 8th of October 2025, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) in Gauteng Province held a Social Media and Respect Workshop at the Holy Cross Anglican Church in Soweto, Orlando West. The session formed part of the Vacay School Holiday Social Media Charter Programme, aimed at educating young people about responsible online conduct, digital safety, and respect in virtual spaces. Participants were encouraged to reflect on how their online behaviour shapes the kind of society they want to live in.
Social media can be a powerful tool for empowerment and awareness, but it can also mirror the inequalities and injustices that exist in society. Beyond issues of gender-based violence and harmful stereotypes, social media misuse has opened doors to serious human rights violations. Digital platforms have become channels for human trafficking, where young women and men are recruited under false pretenses, as well as spaces where sextortion and sexual exploitation thrive through manipulation, coercion, and the misuse of private images. These are not just online issues, they are real, lived experiences that demand awareness, responsibility, and collective action.
As the workshop highlighted, promoting respect, dignity, and gender equality in the digital world is just as crucial as in real life. Each post, comment, or share carries the power to either build or break another person’s humanity, reminding us that social media should be a space of connection, not exploitation.