- Many youths are stuck in a cycle of impressing others, especially on social media. The pressure to look successful, stylish, and "on top" is real.
In Kenya today, it is not unusual to see a young person rocking the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, yet complaining they do not have fare or even enough money for lunch.
It is a strange reality, where image seems to matter more than actual financial stability.
Many youths are stuck in a cycle of impressing others, especially on social media. The pressure to look successful, stylish, and "on top" is real.
Owning an expensive phone has become a status symbol a way to show you have “made it” even when your pockets say otherwise. Some go as far as taking loans or using all their savings just to get the latest phone model. Others sell their belongings or skip rent just to afford a shiny gadget.
However, let us be honest what good is a high-end phone if you cannot afford basic needs? A phone worth KSh 150,000 does not make sense when your bank account is empty, your rent is due, or your parents are still footing your bills.
It is not wrong to want good things, but when desire for appearance becomes greater than reality, it becomes dangerous.
This is not just a money issue it is a mindset problem. We have allowed social media to define success. We chase likes, comments, and followers more than we chase real growth. Young people want to look rich instead of being rich, and that is a trap.
What we need is a shift in values. It is okay to start small. It is okay to use a simple phone if it means you are saving, investing, or living within your means. True success is not in the phone you hold—it is in your plans, your hustle, and your goals.
So before you buy that phone, ask yourself: is it really a need, or are you just trying to impress people who will not even help you when you are broke? In the end, real wealth is silent. Let your future be louder than your phone.
