Science & Tech
Beyond likes and views: Turning social media into a tool for purpose
“Neither can internet popularity guarantee a successful future. But when technology is used responsibly alongside education and practical skills, it can give talented young people access to audiences and opportunities that previous generations did not have."
After attending school, the group come together during their free time to create content and interact with their online community through livestreaming.
By: Moses Nsubuga, Journalist @New Vision
For millions of young people around the world, social media is a place to watch videos, follow trends and connect with friends.
But for the young creators behind Sweet Kids Foundation, it has become something more — a classroom, a stage, a source of opportunity and a platform from which they hope to change lives.
With a TikTok community of more than 1.2 million followers and dance videos that have attracted millions of views, the Sweet Kids have built an impressive digital audience through creativity, dance, entertainment and live streaming.
However, behind the viral videos is a story that cannot be measured by followers alone. It is a story of young people learning to turn talent into purpose, and when the school day ends, creativity begins.
After attending school, the group come together during their free time to create content and interact with their online community through livestreaming.
What started as young people simply enjoying their talents began opening unexpected opportunities, with group members’ creative work now contributing to their educational expenses and other needs.
“For young people who understand what it means to come from families with limited resources, that achievement carries a deeper meaning. We are discovering that talent, when combined with education, discipline and creativity, can become an asset,” one of the members remarked.
More than internet fame
“We want to use the visibility created through digital entertainment to support vulnerable children and young people while encouraging them to discover their own abilities. Our philosophy is not simply to give a child something for today, but we want to help that child discover something within themselves that could change them tomorrow.”
What started as young people simply enjoying their talents began opening unexpected opportunities, with group members’ creative work now contributing to their educational expenses and other needs.
“For young people who understand what it means to come from families with limited resources, that achievement carries a deeper meaning. We are discovering that talent, when combined with education, discipline and creativity, can become an asset,” one of the members remarked.
More than internet fame
“We want to use the visibility created through digital entertainment to support vulnerable children and young people while encouraging them to discover their own abilities. Our philosophy is not simply to give a child something for today, but we want to help that child discover something within themselves that could change them tomorrow.”
Sweet Kids Foundation believes that hidden within Uganda's communities are thousands of young people with abilities that may never be discovered simply because nobody gave them an opportunity.
Community impact
In May this year, the foundation carried out an outreach in Kaganda, Masaka District, supporting 49 children with school requirements, including exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers and sharpeners, and teen girls receiving sanitary pads.
The organisation believes digital platforms can become places where young people learn communication, creativity, entrepreneurship, teamwork and responsibility, insisting that a smartphone cannot replace education.
“Neither can internet popularity guarantee a successful future. But when technology is used responsibly alongside education and practical skills, it can give talented young people access to audiences and opportunities that previous generations did not have."
Community impact
In May this year, the foundation carried out an outreach in Kaganda, Masaka District, supporting 49 children with school requirements, including exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers and sharpeners, and teen girls receiving sanitary pads.
The organisation believes digital platforms can become places where young people learn communication, creativity, entrepreneurship, teamwork and responsibility, insisting that a smartphone cannot replace education.
“Neither can internet popularity guarantee a successful future. But when technology is used responsibly alongside education and practical skills, it can give talented young people access to audiences and opportunities that previous generations did not have."