School Board warns of social media impact on children

ABUJA (Sundiata Scholar) – Mr Ike Onyechere, a member of the Board of Governors at Redeemer Teap International School (RTIS), has expressed concern over the growing negative influence of social media on young learners.

Onyechere made the remarks on Saturday in Abuja during the school’s 2024/25 graduation ceremony.

It also featured the unveiling of the inaugural ‘Superstar Award’, a new recognition for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and exemplary character over the past two years.

He said that while the school had taken measures to strengthen physical security, the most pressing threat facing children today is unregulated exposure to social media.

“The greatest danger to children in today’s environment is social media. There is a rise in cyberbullying, peer pressure, and moral confusion fuelled by inappropriate online behaviour,” he said.

Onyechere warned that indiscipline, often encouraged by online anonymity, had become a growing concern, exposing young people across Nigeria and beyond to digital content that promotes disobedience and erodes moral values.

He urged parents and guardians to be more vigilant, stressing the importance of engaging children in supervised and meaningful activities while limiting unsupervised screen time.

“Proper supervision, spiritual formation, and academic enrichment are key to safeguarding the mental and moral well-being of students,” he added.

Also speaking, the school’s Principal, Mr Oladimeji Yusuf, said the newly instituted Superstar Award was designed to reward students who embody the core values upheld by the school.

He attributed the school’s growth to the commitment of its teaching staff, effective leadership, and the support of the Board of Governors, noting that true excellence encompasses both academics and character.

“Excellence must begin in secondary school, both in academics and in behaviour. That foundation shapes the kind of graduates we send to the nation’s universities and into the society,” he said.

Yusuf also commended the Federal Government’s plan to fully implement Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for WAEC and NECO exams, calling it a necessary step towards digital education and assessment reform.

Some of the graduating students who spoke shared personal stories about their experiences at the school.

Uduak Nkono, one of the graduates, said the school’s emphasis on moral and spiritual development had a big impact on her life.

“This school has helped me intellectually, socially, and emotionally. I used to be very shy, but today I am more confident and ready for the next phase of life,” she said.

Nkono, who plans to study law, said she hopes to use her legal expertise in the future to make a meaningful impact in society.

Another graduate, Mitchell Nwaukor, expressed interest in studying criminology at Nile University to contribute to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

“I want to support our national security structure and give back to society by helping the vulnerable. This school taught us responsibility and values beyond academics,” he said.

Also speaking, a parent, Mr Jude Nwaukor, called for better welfare for teachers, attributing them to the backbone of educational success.

“The teachers are the backbone of all we’re celebrating today. They deserve not just appreciation but enhanced welfare to enable them continue to give their best,” he said. (NAN)