Consumers are to blame for explicit content - says Bhutisi

SEASONED content creator, Admire “Bhutisi” Kuzhangaira, says consumers are to blame for the proliferation of explicit content across social media platforms.

Bhutisi said the world should prepare for an even bigger influx of inappropriate material as long as there are consumers willing to engage with it.

He shared his thoughts in the wake of the ongoing debate surrounding nudity and explicit content, which has garnered attention from the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).

“To be honest, there are people who enjoy that content, even though many publicly condemn it while sharing and viewing it on their devices,” he said.

He said digital landscape prioritises clicks and likes for many content creators.

“The content creators with monetised accounts will do anything to generate income, even if their content is deemed distasteful,” he said.

Bhutisi acknowledged concerns regarding the exposure of children to explicit materials but stressed that social media is, undeniably, an unstoppable force.

“The same children we aim to protect are already well ahead of us; they know the platforms where this content is shared.

“In fact, the very generation we want to shield is the one circulating such material since they have access to gadgets and the internet.

“What we can do as parents is teach them from a tender age about the dangers of explicit content. However, the reality is that children are inclined to experiment, often influenced by their peers.”

Despite the growing trend of content creators thriving on explicit material, Bhutisi is committed to maintaining professionalism in his work.

“Some of us have attended film school, where we learned about African aesthetics and values.

“We know what is right.

“As pioneers in this field, we will adhere to the clean content that brought us recognition.

“I refuse to join the bandwagon of explicit content, but the truth remains: no one can put a stop to it.”

He also shared the challenges that lies ahead.

“Those Zimbabweans who capitalise on explicit content often do not reside here, and we must accept that this trend is unlikely to change anytime soon.

“It’s a new culture we must learn to navigate as long as the internet and electronic devices continue to exist.” Source ZimPapers