Dear couples, the internet doesn’t need to be in your relationship

The other day, I opened social media, and within three minutes, I knew more about a stranger’s husband than I know about some of my relatives. The week before that, another woman informed us that her husband was spending suspicious amounts of time with.

Before that, someone else was explaining that her boyfriend had been promising marriage since the Stone Age. But at what point did TikTok become the first point of contact for relationship emergencies?

What Happened

Why are we, complete strangers, being briefed on matters that belong in family meetings? One woman says her husband is body-shaming her a month after childbirth.

• Your husband is allegedly cheating and before speaking to a counsellor, a lawyer, your mother, your best friend or even the husband himself, you’ve already informed 200,000 followers.

• But perhaps not every relationship issue requires a ring light, a microphone and 50,000 witnesses.

• And respectfully, I never applied to be part of your marriage committee.

Key Details

Another reveals that her husband snores so loudly she has moved to another room.

• Sis, are you trying to solve the problem, or are you just creating content?

• Look, nobody is saying people shouldn’t seek support when they’re going through something difficult.

• Meanwhile, the same followers giving advice today will be asking awkward questions next month when you’re posting matching outfits and calling him “my king".

Why It Matters

The husband hasn’t even heard the complaint yet, but somehow the internet has.

• Ma’am, what exactly would you like me to do with this information?

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by thecitizen.co.tz as more details emerge