Dear social media baddie and wannabe,
I see you. You’re young, confident and living your best life. Your pictures are flawless, your angles are perfect and the likes keep rolling in. You’re building a brand, turning heads and enjoying the validation that social media gives. But before you post that next overly revealing photo or seductive video, pause for a moment. Ask yourself: “Will I still be proud of this in five years? In ten?”
Right now, it may feel empowering, even profitable to embrace an oversexualized image of yourself online. But fast forward a few years from now, and the same content that once earned you attention could become a source of deep regret. One day, you might want to rebrand, step into a more professional space or start a family. That’s when you’ll realize- what goes on the internet stays on the internet. Employers will Google you. Future in-laws might stumble across your old posts. Even your own children could one day ask, “Mom, is this really you?”
Regret often creeps in when opportunities slip away. Many have lost out on dream jobs, scholarships and partnerships because of a digital past they thought wouldn’t matter. Some have struggled to be taken seriously in professional spaces, while others have found that the “likes” they chased never translated into lasting success or financial security. And then there’s the emotional toll- what once felt empowering may later feel like exploitation, especially when the internet refuses to forget.
This is not about policing your body or choices. It’s about reminding you that your worth is more than the attention of strangers online. Your legacy is more than fleeting trends and viral moments. Remember, the internet never forgets, and the digital footprints you leave behind today may not just haunt you, but also your future descendants
What seems like harmless fun- oversexualized photos, reckless content or clout-chasing antics- can resurface years later, shaping how your children, grandchildren or even great-grandchildren are perceived. Imagine a future where your child is teased in school because of a viral post you made decades ago, or where your grandchild struggles to be taken seriously in a professional setting because a simple search of their family name pulls up a controversial past. Personal branding extends beyond a single lifetime, online choices today could cast long, unintended shadows over generations to come. Yes, majuto ni mjukuu (Swahili proverb that means ‘the actions of our parents and grandparents are felt by the next generation’).
There’s beauty in mystery, power in discretion and strength in choosing a path that won’t haunt you later. So before you post, think long-term. Protect your future self and descendants from unnecessary regrets. Because years from now, when the hype fades, you’ll want to look back with pride, not embarrassment.
With care,
A pedestrian’s voice from across the road.
