Ezra Chitando, University of Zimbabwe
We often hear the phrase, “Distance is not a barrier.” For a generation of young people in Harare, Zimbabwe, this isn’t just a cliché—it’s a daily practice powered by faith and technology.
In the wake of widespread migration, many young people are “left behind,” navigating life’s challenges while their parents and relatives build new lives across Southern Africa and beyond. Our recent research reveals how these young people are creatively using digital tools and their religious beliefs to build resilience, maintain family bonds, and seize opportunities from afar.
More Than a Video Call: Faith in the Digital Space
For these youth, religion is far from an outdated concept; it’s a dynamic and vital resource. Where physical separation creates a sense of distance, digital tools become a strategic bridge.
Consider the words of a 25-year-old Pentecostal woman from Harare: “Prayers online with my parents in the United Kingdom give me comfort, solace, and inner strength to face everything that life throws at me.”
This sentiment is echoed across faiths. A 23-year-old Muslim participant shared: “Digital tools enable me to connect with my parents who moved abroad, other Muslims globally, and participate in virtual Islamic discussions and initiatives.”
Through video calls, messaging apps, and social media, they are actively expressing their spirituality and mitigating the loneliness of separation.
Building Resilience and Opportunity
The environment for these youth is often marked by socio-economic precarity. Yet, instead of succumbing to despair or negative influences, many are turning to digital faith communities for strength and practical support.
Our data shows that religious youth are proactively accessing podcasts, webinars, and virtual lectures on topics from spiritual guidance to entrepreneurial initiatives. They are using their faith, amplified by digital access, to find hope in struggle and to create opportunities for themselves where few exist.
The Social Media Pulpit: Instagram, TikTok, and Family WhatsApp Groups
The digital religious practice of these young people is vibrant and communal. Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are not just for fun; they are used to share photos, videos, and updates, building a continuous narrative of life for their families abroad.
But the real heart of this connection often beats in Family WhatsApp groups. These groups do more than share news; they generate a profound sense of belonging and shared identity.
As a 30-year-old male Protestant participant explained: “There is an aunt in our extended Family WhatsApp group who is devoted to the task of posting devotions every day.”
Interestingly, this digital ministry often transcends religious boundaries. Some young people who practice African Traditional Religions noted they also found value and comfort in these messages, highlighting a shared digital spirituality.
Finding Joy and Community in Digital Faith
Religion is often presented as a serious matter. But our study uncovered a fascinating and joyful side to it. Digital tools are platforms for laughter and light-hearted connection, too.
Young people share religious-themed memes, jokes, and fun-filled messages with their peers and diasporic families. This digital laughter reflects their faith, values, and deep sense of community, proving that spiritual connection can be both profound and playful.
The Takeaway: Agency in the Digital Age
Ultimately, the story of Harare’s left-behind youth is not one of passive waiting. It’s a story of agency and resilience.
By leveraging WhatsApp devotionals, virtual prayer circles, and entrepreneurial webinars, they are actively refusing to be defined by isolation. They are using their creativity and faith to build bridges, sustain bonds, and propel themselves forward.
They are proving that with digital tools and deep conviction, the distance between “here” and “over there” is a gap that can be bridged.
