MONROVIA, Liberia — Prominent Liberian lawyer and youth advocate, Counselor Charlyne M. Brumskine, is calling on young people across the country to shift their focus from excessive social media consumption to skills development, emphasizing that technology now offers unprecedented opportunities for self-improvement.
In a widely circulated Facebook video she posted on Monday, March 30, 2026, Cllr. Brumskine challenged young Liberians to rethink how they use their limited internet resources, arguing that even small amounts of data can be transformed into powerful tools for learning and empowerment.
“You don’t have US$5,000, but you have $5—you have $10, you have data,” she said. “That same data can help you go on artificial intelligence platforms… and learn a skill.”
A Call for Mindset Shift
Her remarks come against the backdrop of viral social media conversations surrounding a recent public display of wealth involving a figure known as “Sugar Nova.” While acknowledging individuals’ freedom to spend their money as they choose, Brumskine said such discussions should not distract young people from pursuing meaningful personal development.
“Liberia is being left behind when it comes to digitization and technology, and everybody got a smartphone,” she noted. “But we’d rather use our smartphones to entertain ourselves… instead of developing ourselves.”
She stressed that poverty should no longer be viewed as a complete barrier to learning in the digital age.
“Poverty is no longer an excuse for many of our people… once you have access to the internet and a desire to learn, you can go online every day and learn something new,” she added.
Promoting Skills and Technical Education
Cllr. Brumskine also pointed to ongoing efforts by the government and partners to expand technical and vocational training opportunities, encouraging young people to complement such programs with online learning.
“You may not become a master mechanic overnight, but you can pick up skills from the internet,” she said, urging youth to explore areas such as mechanics, carpentry, and electrical work alongside digital tools.
She further advised young people to be intentional about how they spend their time online.
“For every 15–20 minutes I’m on social media, I spend five to ten times that amount of time honing my craft,” she disclosed.
A Message of Empowerment
Ending her message on a motivational note, Brumskine encouraged young Liberians to invest in themselves today in order to secure better opportunities in the future.
“Spend more time learning a skill… so maybe one day you can say you earned something for yourself,” she said.
Profile: Cllr. Charlyne M. Brumskine
Counselor Charlyne M. Brumskine is a respected Liberian legal practitioner and emerging public voice, known for her advocacy on youth empowerment, governance, and social development. She is the daughter of the late Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine, a prominent political figure and former presidential candidate.
With a growing influence on social media and in public discourse, she has positioned herself as a strong advocate for practical solutions to Liberia’s development challenges—particularly those affecting young people.
Her latest remarks add to a broader national conversation about youth unemployment, digital literacy, and the role of innovation in driving Liberia’s future.
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