On online beggars

Social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and X have transformed how we interact with each other, create and even earn a living.

But beneath this 21^st century discovery lies a smouldering problem: the scourge of digital beggars. These individuals take to social media daily, soliciting monetary gifts. This phenomenon is gaining traction across all ages in Malawi.

While others view this as a harmless act, but it is no different from street begging. The slight difference is the medium. Traditional begging takes place at the corner of the streets in Blantyre or Lilongwe with arms stretched, whereas digital beggars use a smartphone and the internet.

Worse still, social media influencers have increasingly entrenched this art of begging by gifting their followers with money and other incentives. They do this simply to increase following on their social media platforms, which are often monetized.

Street beggars are often pushed onto the streets because of, among other reasons; poverty, but many digital beggars appear to have the means to pursue meaningful work. Yet, they choose the easy route, pretending vulnerability when they own a smartphone and are energetic.

If this trend continues unabetted, what message are we sending? Is it acceptable to sit idly and beg for alms online rather than work or do business?

What is more alarming, however; is that these digital beggars are celebrated by their givers. A day hardly goes by without seeing influencers flaunting a digital beggar on their social media platforms. This glorification of begging sends a wrong message, particularly to the youth.

Street begging and digital begging are counterproductive, because at their core, they both serve the same purpose—they perpetuate laziness, they rely on the giver’s generosity and contribute nothing to the progress of society.

But what is even more fatal with digital begging is its normalization and celebration. It fosters a culture of entitlement and risks creating a generation of young people who view begging—not hard work—as a legitimate means of earning a living.

It is time to reject the normalization of digital begging and promote values that uplift our society.

At the outset, we need a cultural shift. As a society we must prioritize and celebrate hard work, innovation and problem solving over entitlement and dependency. No society on the face of this planet earth has ever prospered because of begging. It traps people in a perpetual cycle of poverty. It is nasty and addictive, resist it!

In addition, there must be some parental guidance. In our homes, parents must teach their children the value of self-sustenance, hard work and purpose. Parents should tell their children that social media is a powerful tool for connection, but it must never be used as a platform for begging. There’s no dignity by being a beggar, parents must say this to their children.

Further to that, social media influencers should rethink their ‘acts of generosity.’ They need to avoid dignifying digital begging. Instead, they should recognise individuals who solve problems in society, innovate and inspire others through their hard work. In that way, their acts of generosity will be meaningful.

Digital begging is an affront to the very fabric of our society. It solely makes our youth idle and useless. It also makes them vulnerable to cyber-crimes. Let’s stop glorifying it so that we secure the future of our youth.

Social media is a tool for empowerment, not a platform for begging.