An essay
A recent Atlantic article argues that America’s biggest export may be teenage anxiety, a phenomenon fueled by cultural influence, media, and social platforms. Through apps like TikTok and Instagram, teenagers worldwide are inundated with curated lives and impossible standards, creating a ripple effect of stress and insecurity. But anxiety isn’t confined to teenagers—or to America. Adult anxiety, shaped by societal and personal pressures, is just as pervasive, especially in countries like South Africa, where daily life itself can be an emotional minefield.
Social media plays a significant role, not just as a source of stress but also as a trigger for conversations that deepen it. A Facebook post or a viral video on X (formerly Twitter) can spark debates among friends and family, often leaving participants more anxious than before. But here in South Africa, anxiety is not only shaped by what we see online—it’s compounded by the harsh realities of life on the ground. Crime dominates: rapes, murders, robberies, abductions, and drug trafficking are constant threats. Public spaces, which should belong to everyone, are increasingly taken over by vagrants and drug warlords, making them unsafe.
The stark poverty in the streets is impossible to ignore. Beggars approach cars at intersections, people sleep on pavements under flimsy covers, and others rummage through garbage bins to survive. The chaos extends to the roads, where motorists’ anger and rudeness add another layer of tension. Every day feels like a battle against the overwhelming weight of crime, poverty, and fraying social norms.
Meanwhile, many adults are also juggling personal stresses: raising teenagers who face their own anxieties, dealing with disgruntled colleagues at work, or supporting neurotic friends who turn to them instead of seeking professional help. It’s exhausting. And yet, the world bombards us with messages to relax: meditate, do yoga, breathe. While these tools have value, they feel almost trivial when you’re trying to navigate life in a country where insecurity is woven into the fabric of existence.
This essay offers no solutions because anxiety, like life itself, is deeply personal. Whether it’s rooted in social media or shaped by the harsh realities of crime and economic stagnation, the experience of anxiety varies for each of us. Acknowledging its presence—and its unique impact on our lives—is the first step. The rest, as overwhelming as it may seem, is up to each individual to figure out.
