Kaya Drive: How to identify if you are thirst trapping on social media

By: Natasha Archary

The topic on Kaya Drive this Tuesday, on thirst trapping was inspired by yours truly, little did I know that Sizwe would completely expose my social media antics. Ok, who am I kidding? Of course, it was expected, it’s Sizwe Dhlomo, one of the most unfiltered SA media personalities.

Listen to Sizwe Dhlomo’s exposé on my thirst trapping here:

What is thirst trapping?

Thirst trapping! It’s a thing. Ask me I know, I’ve just been “Sizwe endorsed” so let’s break down how to identify a thirst trap on social media.

It’s a trend that started with Instagram when attractive men and women would post provocative pictures hoping to garner likes or followers. According to Elite Daily, there’s no greater online high than thirst trapping.

That in a nutshell is what “thirst trapping” can be defined as, an ego-boost for people who are just looking for a confidence boost from strangers online. It’s innocent enough right?

Yes and no. Thirst traps are generally about physically attractiveness and social media platforms, especially Instagram is a tough space to break into unless you’re hot.

Fitness models and sexy influencers in bikini’s are the most popular accounts with huge following and so they need to keep up the appearances and constantly update their profiles with such content.

Should they slack, followers drop and that “high” fades. The high is a sense of validation that people find you attractive and it’s simply a matter of the number of likes one gets after posting new content.

@KayaOnAir KayaDrive @SizweDhlomo 😂🤣😂 That’s the “mission” no…!? Trapping those that are thirsty then getting their follower’s “Up”….🤭 🤷🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

— 👑 Palesa Stevens 💫 (@Palesa_Stevens) July 27, 2021

😂🤣😂 https://t.co/9QxBPlb5F5

— Sizwe Dhlomo (@SizweDhlomo) July 27, 2021

Thirst traps also tend to post new pictures or video content when they have a new outfit they want to show off or when they know they look good, like when they have their hair and makeup done.

So, yes, it’s a superficial act which does open one up to online bullying, cyber stalking and trolling. You’re basically opening yourself upto the opinions and scrutiny from an entire online audience that you don’t know.

Posting a ‘thirst trappy’ picture can come with risks, like Sizwe mentioned my ordeal with the guy who just showed up at my office with dinner. If you’re in a relationship it can also be seen as disrespectful to your partner, if your revealing pictures makes them uncomfortable.

There’s also the potential your picture could become a meme, if someone feels you’re not attractive enough to meet their standards.

Here’s how Kaya Drive listeners weighed in:

What’s funny about Siz calling me a thirst trapper of note is that, he literally broke Twitter when he posted a selfie and had South African men and women trapped and thirsty.