Clout at Any Cost: How Sexualized Social Media Culture Is Rewriting Morality in Ghana

Social media has become one of the most powerful forces shaping modern identity, especially among the youth. What began as a platform for creativity has steadily transformed into a stage where sensuality, shock, and explicit displays dominate.

Today, many influencers and entertainers deliberately craft half naked photos, provocative dance videos, and sexually charged performances not by accident but as a calculated strategy to gain attention, followers, endorsements, and viral relevance. It has reached a point where sexualized content is no longer a deviation from the norm but is becoming the norm itself. As this troubling shift deepens, many Ghanaians are asking what is happening to our society and what future we are preparing for the next generation.

The pursuit of clout at any cost is gradually overshadowing talent, discipline, and moral values. Increasingly, young women and even men believe that exposing their bodies or engaging in suggestive behaviour is the fastest route to relevance. Algorithms reward whatever keeps people watching, and nothing spreads faster than scandal or sensuality. As a result, a culture of deliberate sexualisation has emerged, a culture where visibility takes precedence over values and where the loudest personalities drown out the most meaningful voices. This erosion of modesty and dignity is not without real world consequences, and recent events in Ghana offer a sobering reminder of how quickly clout culture can spiral out of control.
The Wendy Shay concert in Accra became a perfect example of this unfolding reality. The massive gathering at West Hills Mall was intended to be a celebration of music, youth energy, and creativity. Instead, the night spiralled into controversy when a viral video showed a young woman known online as Diamond Queen at the center of the crowd being closely flanked by two men whose conduct was widely condemned as inappropriate, exploitative, and morally disturbing. The overpowering excitement, the loud music, the surging crowd, and the uninhibited behaviour created a moment that spread across social media with great speed. While many viewers expressed shock and outrage, others turned the incident into entertainment. Some even celebrated the woman as the newest online star, boosting her following simply because of a sensational video that exposed her to ridicule and vulnerability.
What makes this incident deeply troubling is not only the behaviour captured in the video but what it represents. It reveals a generation increasingly tempted to chase fame through shock rather than substance. As the images circulated, it became clear that moments like these are no longer isolated accidents but part of a growing trend where people deliberately push boundaries, record themselves in compromising situations, and hope that a moment of controversy will unlock instant popularity. Yet while the internet moves on quickly, the psychological, social, and moral impact lingers, especially on the young who begin to see these moments as acceptable pathways to success.
If society continues down this path unchecked, we risk cultivating a future where personal dignity is negotiable, morality becomes outdated, and young people pursue relevance rather than purpose. The danger lies not only in the content itself but in the message behind it. It teaches that exposing the body or engaging in shocking public behaviour is an acceptable price for fame. If this mindset becomes entrenched, we will witness a generation drifting away from discipline, self respect, and ambition, replacing these values with a shallow chase for likes, views, and followers.
To counter this growing challenge, Ghana must take deliberate steps to sanitize both social media and public spaces. Government agencies, regulators, and cultural institutions all have vital roles to play. Strengthening laws around public decency, harassment, and consent is essential, as well as enforcing these laws consistently during public events. Social media platforms operating in Ghana should be required to improve oversight of explicit and harmful content, implement stronger age restriction systems, and remove non consensual or exploitative videos swiftly and effectively. At the community level, schools, religious institutions, and parents must intensify digital ethics education, teaching young people not only the dangers of careless exposure but also the importance of preserving personal dignity online.
Beyond regulation, Ghana must elevate alternative role models, including musicians, creators, academics, entrepreneurs, and professionals who achieve success through talent and integrity. When society rewards people who uphold values rather than those who break them, young people will have healthier examples to emulate. Victims of online exploitation must also be supported through safe reporting channels, counselling, and legal backing, ensuring that no one feels abandoned or ashamed when their image is misused or circulated.
Ultimately, the Wendy Shay incident is not just a scandal. It is a mirror reflecting a deeper cultural crisis. If we allow sensationalism to define our digital culture, we will raise children who value popularity over character and exposure over excellence. But if we choose to act with intentional policy, purposeful education, strong community leadership, and responsible public behaviour, we can guide the present generation back toward dignity, creativity, and purpose. The future is not doomed. It is simply waiting for us to decide what values we are willing to defend. The question is no longer whether society can change course. It is whether we are willing to protect what truly matters before it is too late.

Source: Curtice Dumevor – public health expert and social analyst