Technology expert Glen Mwansa says the fast […]

Technology expert Glen Mwansa says the fast growth of social media has created opportunities for communication, business, and content creation. As Zambia continues to expand its digital space, the call for structured training programmes for social media content creators to improve the quality and responsibility of online content is slowly getting louder.

 Speaking in an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Mwansa said many of the trends seen on social media in Zambia are driven by international platforms whose algorithms influence what content becomes popular.

 He explained that these systems often promote content that attracts more attention, even when it does not reflect local culture or community values.

“The pressure to gain views, followers, and income has pushed some content creators to focus on sensational content instead of responsible and informative material; this has also led to the spread of sometimes harmful content,” he added.

 He said this challenge can be addressed through structured training and certification programmes for content creators.

He further proposed that such programmes should teach creators how social media platforms work, how to produce responsible content, and how to avoid spreading harmful or misleading information. He also said training should include digital ethics, audience awareness, platform rules, and the long-term impact of content on society.

 He added that structured training would help professionalise content creation in Zambia and allow creators to build sustainable careers in the digital space.

 “Outside influences, including global platforms and funding systems, are shaping online discussions, making it important for Zambia to strengthen local capacity in digital content production,” Mwansa observed.

 He called for stronger content moderation systems and clearer rules for online spaces but stressed that training creators remains a key long-term solution. While he acknowledged the benefits of social media in creating jobs, supporting businesses, and improving access to information, Mwansa said these benefits must be balanced with responsibility.

He added that Zambia must continue developing policies and standards that reflect local values while adapting to the fast-changing digital environment. “Social media has brought many benefits, but we must also invest in training content creators so that they understand responsibility, ethics, and the impact of their work,” he said.Technology expert Glen Mwansa says the fast growth of social media has created opportunities for communication, business, and content creation. As Zambia continues to expand its digital space, the call for structured training programmes for social media content creators to improve the quality and responsibility of online content is slowly getting louder.

 Speaking in an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Mwansa said many of the trends seen on social media in Zambia are driven by international platforms whose algorithms influence what content becomes popular.

 He explained that these systems often promote content that attracts more attention, even when it does not reflect local culture or community values.

“The pressure to gain views, followers, and income has pushed some content creators to focus on sensational content instead of responsible and informative material; this has also led to the spread of sometimes harmful content,” he added.

 He said this challenge can be addressed through structured training and certification programmes for content creators.

He further proposed that such programmes should teach creators how social media platforms work, how to produce responsible content, and how to avoid spreading harmful or misleading information. He also said training should include digital ethics, audience awareness, platform rules, and the long-term impact of content on society.

 He added that structured training would help professionalise content creation in Zambia and allow creators to build sustainable careers in the digital space.

 “Outside influences, including global platforms and funding systems, are shaping online discussions, making it important for Zambia to strengthen local capacity in digital content production,” Mwansa observed.

 He called for stronger content moderation systems and clearer rules for online spaces but stressed that training creators remains a key long-term solution. While he acknowledged the benefits of social media in creating jobs, supporting businesses, and improving access to information, Mwansa said these benefits must be balanced with responsibility.

He added that Zambia must continue developing policies and standards that reflect local values while adapting to the fast-changing digital environment. “Social media has brought many benefits, but we must also invest in training content creators so that they understand responsibility, ethics, and the impact of their work,” he said.

Article Karen Ngulube