Moral Decadence: Responsibility Lies With Adults

T here comes a point when a society must look at itself in the mirror. In Cameroon, that moment is now. Cameroonians have, for some time now, been traumatised by the obscene images and videos circulating on social media. The social media feeds of some young girls in the country can best be likened to the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah: places of profound moral decline. Acts that were once confined to the pri­ vacy of the home are now being performed openly online for public consumption. Recently, Tik-Tok, Facebook and other social media reels featuring young girls in Cameroon have left many viewers appalled. In several instances, the girls have engaged in ex­ plicit sexual acts live online, with viewers posting comments as the session unfolds. In most cases, the faces of the men involved are not shown. One video in particular will haunt anyone who saw it: that of a young girl. Stark naked and on knees, as two men urinated upon her. From their physical appearance, it was clear the men were adults, old en­ ough to be the girls’ father. The girl, seemingly under the influence of drugs, danced enthusiastically, opened her mouth and drank the urine. Another disturbing video online is that of a young girl with hands and feet tied with ropes while a man fully engages in sexual intercourse with her. This is not the first time such images of young girls are floo­ ding social media in the country. Recent indecent videos circulating online promp­ ted the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family to issue a press release on 23 July 2026. In it, she expressed profound concern at the resurgence of conduct among certain young girls on social media that runs contrary to ethical, social and family values. According to the release, these behaviours are evident in the posting of inappro­ priate content online, which glamorises the use of harmful substances, the pursuit of easy money, and outright moral decline, thereby normalising violence and immorality. The Minister said she was deeply dismayed by such actions, which do no credit to young girls. While condemning all forms of abuse against women and girls, she rei­ terated that human dignity is non-negotiable. She urged young girls to have an urgent change of heart and return to wholesome conduct. In June, the Minister also issued a press release condem­ ning an obscene website. Information indicated that the site was involved in “the recruitment and sexual exploitation of underage girls across the country.” Many of the girls were described as “ba­ rely having reached puberty.” It is regrettable that the website remains operational. Beyond press re­ leases urging young girls to change course, it is time the authorities recognised that this is not merely a “youth problem.” It is an “adult problem too.” We can blame the system, poverty and the plat­ forms. But the harder truth is this: it starts with the adults. It starts with the perpetrators; adult men who exploit young girls, and who film and or­ chestrate the abuse. They target vulnerable girls with money, gifts or drugs. In most of these vi­ deos, the adults involved choose to degra...