Content creator Nicolas Kioko has called for a more honest conversation about the pressure young people face online.
In a statement shared on his Instagram page on Monday, August 31, 2026, Kioko said social media had increasingly become a source of pressure for people who feel expected to appear successful even when they are struggling privately.
The Youtuber said the pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle online can leave young people comparing their lives with images that do not always reflect reality.
Kioko noted that social media users are often expected to look happy and successful, regardless of what they may be experiencing away from the cameras.
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“The internet no longer feels like a safe space. People are struggling silently because they’re afraid of being judged,” he said.
The media personality also pointed to the financial difficulties facing many young people, saying some are under pressure to present a lifestyle they cannot afford.
According to Kioko, the same pressure can also affect celebrities and content creators, who may feel the need to maintain a particular image to remain accepted by their audiences.
Additionally, he said the conversation should also include issues such as financial struggles, failure, loneliness and mental health.
He urged people to be more open about difficulties rather than creating the impression that everything is going well.
