YASMEEN KIBIRIGE: Grief in Airplane Mode — How Young People Mourn, Love and Heal Online

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda published an op-ed by Yasmeen Kibirige examining how young people increasingly use digital tools to process grief, heartbreak and family strain. The piece says some turn to late-night messaging, private notes apps, social media platforms such as Threads, or temporary silence online when they are dealing with loss or emotional distress. It frames these habits not simply as avoidance, but as coping strategies shaped by life in highly connected online spaces.

The article argues that private writing can function like a modern diary, helping people organize painful thoughts without public judgment, while semi-anonymous online conversations can make vulnerability feel safer. It also describes the role of one trusted friend or a small support circle, noting that such relationships can be protective but may not be enough when distress is serious or prolonged. Deactivating accounts or stepping away from social media is presented as a possible form of self-protection, though the article cautions that isolation can become concerning when it is linked to deeper warning signs.

Kibirige also points to barriers that can keep young people from seeking counselling, including cost, limited services, stigma and uncertainty about what professional help involves. The broader message is that online coping can offer real comfort, but it should not replace accessible counselling, trusted adults and stronger community support. The op-ed emphasizes the need for systems that make help easier to find before problems escalate.