The conference room of the National Social Welfare Fund, CNPS building in Yaounde on September 10, 2026 hosted a significant cultural event as Eugène Demaison Betteng officially presented his latest book titled “The Buzz Generation, or the Intoxication of Entertainment: The Urgency of Fading.”

Bringing together readers, thinkers, and cultural enthusiasts, the launch served as an open forum to explore the impact of digital media on contemporary African society. The event sparked vibrant discussions on how constant online stimulation affects civic life, education, and long-term socio-economic development across the continent.

​In his work, Betteng paints a critical picture of a modern landscape dominated by fleeting internet scandals, viral live streams, and the relentless pursuit of social media engagement. He contrasts the rapid consumption of digital hardware in cities like Yaoundé, Dakar, and Abidjan with the economic stagnation facing many African youth.

While technological hubs in Asia and the Middle East focus on industrial advancement and engineering excellence, rising unemployment, school dropouts, and widespread digital distractions threaten to undermine the productive potential of the continent’s younger generation.

​Despite this stark assessment, the author emphasizes that the book is primarily intended to awaken youth consciousness rather than induce despair. Betteng highlights a vital duality within the digital age: while unchecked entertainment risks crossing into widespread societal disaster, digital tools, social networks, and artificial intelligence simultaneously offer unprecedented opportunities for constructive innovation. The core message urges young people to pivot away from passive consumption and instead leverage technology to drive meaningful economic and educational progress.

​To address the risks of digital addiction, Betteng advocates for strong policy interventions and legislative frameworks to regulate online platforms. Drawing comparisons to international models in France and Australia, he argues for measures such as establishing a legal “digital majority” age and requiring parental oversight for younger users.

By creating structured laws that channel online behavior safely, governments can help limit screen dependency, shield youth from predatory digital trends, and foster a healthier online environment focused on learning and professional development.

​As the President of the Scientific Organization working for the Promotion of Artificial Intelligence and Innovation in Cameroon – ACIAI since 2025, Betteng brings a respected academic background to this digital critique. A top graduate in Physics from the Higher Teacher Training College of Yaounde, his long-standing commitment to educational excellence lends weight to his call for digital reform.

Through his latest publication, Betteng challenges both policymakers and the public to implement structural safeguards quickly, ensuring that technology serves as an engine for national development rather than a catalyst for collective distraction.