Three South African content creators have revealed how social media, while offering community and career opportunities, has also brought anxiety, bullying, and mental health challenges. The disclosures came in an IOL feature published on 10 October 2026, supported by a recent Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC) report highlighting the pressures facing online creators in South Africa.
Yoshoda Andréa Naicker, reportedly from Pinetown, described how negative comments about her appearance after weight gain linked to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affected her self-esteem. “People said horrible things about how I looked, and it affected the way I felt about myself,” she said, sharing the harsh realities behind her online presence.
Diolan Govender from Durban spoke about the dangers of constant comparison on social media. According to him, “Comparison can quickly lead to anxiety and self-doubt.” Govender, who began sharing content in 2013 and built a substantial following by 2024, said he now consciously limits social media’s influence on his mental health.
Shanèy Vijendranath, identified as from Johannesburg, shared how her journey started with motherhood-related writing on Tumblr and led to contributions for HuffPost, MomSays, and Forbes Africa 30 Under 30. She reflected critically on social media’s impact: “It can tell me what’s trending, but it cannot tell me my worth.” Her words underline the complex balance between opportunity and emotional strain for creators.
The 2026 CABC report found that South African content creators commonly experience emotional labour, pressure to stay relevant, burnout risk, and harmful online interactions. “Interviews further highlighted the emotional labour associated with maintaining an online presence, managing public scrutiny, responding to harmful interactions, and coping with constant pressure to remain visible and relevant,” the report states.
Alarmingly, the report also revealed that 75% of respondents had witnessed or experienced technology-facilitated gender-based violence, with 43% personally targeted by identity-based harassment or hate speech.
TikTok South Africa recently amplified mental health awareness through campaigns featuring creators like Sanam Naran, who uses the platform to highlight anxiety, body image, and workplace stress. Viral fame, as explored independently by News24 in May 2026, often comes with its own mental health toll, including social anxiety and blurred boundaries between creators and fans.
These overlapping findings demonstrate that the social media landscape in South Africa, while rich with potential, also carries complex risks for creators’ mental well-being.
At present, specific biographical details and exact quotes from the named creators remain verified only through the original IOL piece. Cape Flats News will continue monitoring developments and report any new insights or official responses on this growing issue.