Students use social media to discuss topical issues

The students discuss different topics, which are then recorded and posted on social media. [Daniel Chege, Standard]

Seven students from high schools in Nakuru have started a teen talk show on YouTube to discuss issues affecting teenagers in schools.

The students from Form Two to Form Four, who hold the sessions during the holidays, discuss different topics, which are then recorded and posted on social media.

They hail from Nakuru and Eldoret towns. According to Malcom Orwa, the founder, their discussions revolve around education, religion, social life, character development, skills and general knowledge.

Orwa, 17, a Form Four student at Langa Langa Secondary School, told The Saturday Standard that the group has discussed topics including body shaming, colourism, visionary and full circle both in schools and at home.

“We hold teen talk shows where we tell of our experiences on common issues affecting us as students, our parents and society at large and how best to tackle them,” he said.

Having lost both his parents, Orwa developed a passion for public speaking with the hope of becoming a voice for those who have lost their loved ones.

His skills helped him get selected to attend a Research Club competition at Moi High School in 2019 where he did presentations on moral values.

Through the competition, Orwa felt there was a gap in value sharing among students since such forums are only held once or twice a year and the Covid-19 limited students’ interactions.

Malcom Orwa (right) with a colleague during a shoot in Nakuru on April 17, 2022. [Daniel Chege, Standard]

“I saw the need for students nationwide to learn morals and issues affecting us directly or indirectly,” said Orwa.

He decided to use social media where students are more exposed to send a message, share experiences and teach some lessons.

“We researched and realised that students do not like seminars, lectures or presentations on issues concerning them and the best option was to use social media,” he said.

The channel went live on April 19 last year and has three videos.

Orwa hopes the social media account will grow to a teen network. He also wants to develop talk shows to podcasts and engagement with experts on various topics.

The Saturday Standard viewed their YouTube Channel dubbed Malcom Orwa.

The three videos address topic of how to be "yourself", setting goals and achieving them, originality and self-esteem and character development.

In one of the videos, a student tells of her experience of being isolated from others and losing her self-esteem because of her body size and character.

“I am an introvert and it is hard making friends. People laughed and mocked me and I felt like an outsider and it, in turn, affected my performances,” said the student in the show.