SOCIAL media isn't only about selfies and trends.
It can also be used as a powerful tool to tackle gender-based violence (GBV) head-on.
Well-known activist, global speaker, and author Zulaikha Patel (22), believes platforms such as Instagram can be used to raise awareness and protect kids from online predators.
She was addressing the Meta ‘Teen Account' Instagram launch on Tuesday, 20 May, and shared how she was first introduced to social media as a 13-year-old girl.
It was at the same time the world came to know her as a young anti-racism activist.
"I first got an Instagram account when I was 13, and that's when the entire world got to know about me," said Zulaikha.
She said social media was something she grew up not using, as she was raised by older parents who were cautious about digital platforms.
However, it became clear that she needed space where she could speak for herself.
"My dad said, ‘If the papers are going to write about you and you're going to be a headline tomorrow, you might as well have a central platform where you can control the narrative'," she said.
What started as a space for public statements and updates, eventually became a powerful tool for her activism.
She said being part of Gen Z meant having an online presence was necessary to connect with her peers and continue her advocacy.
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As her work grew, so did her understanding of the risks and responsibilities that come with being online, especially for the youth.
"Gender-based violence isn't only physical. There's TGBV (Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence) and a lot of it starts on social media," said Zulaikha.
She warned that predators disguise themselves as teens to lure kids into harmful situations, sometimes leading to sexual violence.
She believes safety tools and awareness can go a long way in helping parents and teens use social media more responsibly.
"This is a step in the right direction to protect kids from online abuse that later turns into real-world GBV."
Zulaikha first made headlines in 2016 when she led a protest against racist hair policies at Pretoria High School for Girls in Tshwane.
Since then, she has published her debut book MyCoily Crowny Hair, launched her own advocacy organisation, Dare to Change, and in January 2025 was named Media Influencer of the Year at the BRICS and SCO Young Leaders Awards.
