•10-year-olds comparing themselves with peers in California, official warns
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has raised concerns over the growing influence of social media and foreign online content on Nigerian children, warning that unrestricted exposure could affect their mental health, self-perception and understanding of their immediate environment.
The government called for stronger preventive mental health measures, improved parental guidance and greater collaboration among families, schools, communities and relevant authorities to protect young people from the negative effects of digital exposure.
Tolu Ajomale, who represented the Lagos State Commissioner for Health at Vanguard’s Mental Health Summit in Lagos on Thursday, said children were increasingly exposed to information, lifestyles and ideas that might not reflect their local realities.
He warned that access to global content could encourage children to compare their circumstances with those of their counterparts in countries with different social and economic conditions.
“Opening access also means introducing foreign concepts,” Ajomale said, citing the example of a 10-year-old child in Yaba, Lagos, comparing themselves with another 10-year-old in California, United States, despite the differences in their backgrounds and environments.
He expressed concern that such comparisons could influence how children assess their achievements, personal circumstances and prospects in life.
Ajomale also noted that young people were becoming more willing to discuss emotional challenges, including anxiety, anger and dissatisfaction with their lives, stressing that adults needed to listen to them with empathy rather than judgment.
Recounting an interaction with secondary school pupils, he said one of the students had expressed concern about personal achievements despite being only 16 years old.
“One of them said, ‘I’m 16. I haven’t done much with my life,’” he recalled.
The official said such expressions underscored the importance of creating supportive environments where children could discuss their concerns without fear of being criticised or dismissed.
“No, specialists. We don’t judge. We listen,” he said, emphasising the need for understanding and appropriate support when young people express emotional distress.
Ajomale further warned that Nigeria’s mental healthcare system faced significant capacity challenges, including shortages of hospital beds and trained specialists to manage mental health conditions.
“We don’t have enough beds to manage mental illnesses. We don’t have enough specialists to manage mental illnesses,” he said.
He argued that expanding treatment facilities alone would not adequately address the problem, advocating greater investment in preventive measures, early intervention and public awareness.
The Lagos health official also expressed concern that children could lose touch with local knowledge and practical social skills when their learning and perceptions were shaped predominantly by online sources that might not equip them to handle challenges in their immediate surroundings.
He called on parents, schools, communities and government institutions to help children develop practical life skills, a sound understanding of their environment and the ability to assess information critically.
According to him, adults must also learn to communicate with younger generations in ways they can understand, providing the context and guidance necessary for them to make informed decisions.
Ajomale stressed the importance of distinguishing between mental health and mental illness, noting that people could experience poor mental health without necessarily having a diagnosable mental disorder.
“Our goal is to promote good mental health,” he said, adding that children and adolescents needed access to support systems, mentorship and guidance to help them navigate the pressures of growing up.
The government’s concerns highlight the growing need to balance children’s access to digital information with parental supervision, local learning and emotional support as social media becomes an increasingly prominent part of young people’s lives.
