Togolese writer Moïse Olouwadara Inandjo aptly explores the complexity of the human condition and today’s most pressing social issues in his work. His latest essay, “Le mirage des réseaux sociaux” (The Mirage of Social Media), published in 2024, stands out by examining how digital platforms affect young people.
Moïse Inandjo’s path has been forged through a deep academic and humanitarian journey. After completing his early education in Sokodé, central Togo, he pursued a multi-faceted university education in Lomé, earning Bachelor’s degrees in both Philosophy (2004) and Education Sciences (2005), followed by a Master’s in Political Philosophy and Ethics in 2006.
Driven by a desire to connect critical thinking with social engagement, he later moved to France, obtaining a Master’s degree in Social Ethics from the Université Catholique de l’Ouest in Paris (2020). He is currently a doctoral candidate in Political Science, further deepening his expertise.
This academic foundation in ethics and human sciences directly informs his international career. Since 2014, Inandjo has worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), holding key leadership roles in Chad and Cameroon before his current position in Dakar, Senegal, where he coordinates inter-agency partnerships.
It is at the crossroads of this humanitarian sensitivity and academic reflection that Moïse Inandjo has emerged as a unique voice in Togolese literature. His work, including the 2006 Independence Day Prize-winning “Prostituée, ma sœur” (Prostitute, My Sister) has earned him wide recognition, with “Le mirage des réseaux sociaux” also recently integrated into the Togolese school curriculum, alongside other titles.
Among his most recent works, the essay “Le mirage des réseaux sociaux” (The Mirage of Social Media) stands out. Originally written in French and published in 2024 by Éditions Le Carré Culturel (Senegal), the book explores how digital platforms affect young people. Inandjo raises awareness about the risks of hyper-connectivity from online harassment to distorted self perception and emphasizes the essential role of parents in guiding their children through vigilance, open dialogue, and the development of critical digital literacy.
Key Quotes from “Le mirage des réseaux sociaux”
An overview of some of his major quotes from page 172
Our role as parents should be to monitor our children’s use of social media, educate them about the risks, and maintain an open line of communication to support them through the challenges they may face on these platforms.
Original quote: « Notre rôle de parents devrait consister à surveiller l’utilisation des réseaux sociaux chez nos enfants, à les éduquer sur les risques et à maintenir une ligne de communication ouverte pour les soutenir face aux défis auxquels ils pourraient être confrontés sur ces plateformes. »
Beyond their impact on academic performance, social networks, when misused, can be a breeding ground for several evils: including online harassment, bad company, and distortion of self-image, exposure to inappropriate content such as violence and pornography, as well as hate speech.
Original quote: « Outre leur impact sur leurs résultats scolaires, les réseaux sociaux, lorsqu’ils sont mal utilisés, peuvent être un terrain fertile pour plusieurs maux : notamment le harcèlement en ligne, les mauvaises compagnies, la distorsion de l’image de soi, l’exposition à des contenus inappropriés, tels que la violence, la pornographie, ainsi que le discours de haine. »
Teenagers may not be aware of the risks associated with disclosing personal information on social media, the relationships they form there, and the mentors they meet there.
Original quote: « Les adolescents peuvent ne pas être conscients des risques liés à la divulgation d’informations personnelles sur les réseaux sociaux, aux relations qu’ils s’y créent et aux mentors qu’ils y rencontrent. »
School is not only a setting for learning lessons, but also for learning about life itself. It is a place where we are made, unmade, and remade through the friends we choose or those who are imposed upon us.
Original quote: « L’école n’est pas seulement un cadre d’apprentissage de leçons, mais aussi de la vie en elle-même. On s’y fait, on s’y défait et on s’y refait par rapport aux amis qu’on choisit ou qui s’imposent à nous. »
Moïse Inandjo’s writing stands at the intersection of critical thought, ethical commitment, and a deep concern for others. Whether he speaks of love, exile, identity, or the digital world, he invites us to reflect, feel, and act with greater lucidity and humanity. He is an essential voice in a changing world.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
