What your children told us to tell you
Their complaints
▪ You don’t have time for them. You are always on your phones
▪ You don’t say prayers on time because of social media
▪ You don’t use social media to learn
▪ You need them before you can do anything on your phone
▪ You give children phones when they are too young
▪ You do not control what children can use their phones to do/ses
Their advice
▪ Spend time talking with them
▪ Put your phones down at mealtimes
or when talking with them
▪ Don’t allow social media to distract
you from saying your prayers on time
▪ Improve yourself with online classes
▪ Learn how to use your device so that
you children do not control you
Social Media Apps
How many of these apps can you name?
✓ Positive Aspects for parents
Negative Aspects for parents
✓ Positive Aspects for children
Negative Aspects for children
What other apps do you know that would be beneficial for you and children?
Most popular
social media apps
in Nigeria
Do you know the apps that your girls spend most of their time on?
Who are they online with?
Do you know the apps that your boys spend most of their time on?
Who are they online with?
Parents and workers also struggling with
social media distractions
59%
Must respond
to messages
immediately
39%
Lose focus at
work
checking their
phone
36%
Spend too
much time on
their phone
How to monitor children’s use
THE POSITIVES of social media
Joy – There are many things on social media that bring joy, give you the chance to laugh and escape
Business Opportunities – Many businesses are either run on social media or have grown fast and well due to social media.
Support and Solidarity – If you need support, social media is a great and easy tool to get both physical and emotional support.
Education – There are many ways to educate people and learn from people on social media.
From hard skills to general knowledge – can be anything from cooking, to religion to
navigation.
Connectivity – It is very easy to contact and connect with people from all over the world on social media. It is a place where people build communities of like minded people.
The Negatives of social media
Safety Hazard – People can use social media to target you both physically or use your personal information to create scams. You can be profiled and
radicalised. You can be targeted do develop bad
habits like gambling or pornography
Envy/Depression – Social media can often cause envy or depression as some people are only sharing the very best parts of their lives and that can cause envy or depression or unnecessary pressure. It is important to remember that not everything you see on social media is real.
Cyberbullying – It is easy to be ganged upon on social media. One can be bullied and threatened constantly
from all over the world.
Identity theft – You have to be careful about what personal details you share as Identity theft is a problem.
Offensive Imagery – There is some offensive imagery on social media not meant for children. There are also people looking to take advantage of anyone they can, women, children, the elderly, you have to be careful who you share information with
DO NOT
COMPROMISE YOUR PRIVACY
Do not leave your profiles public, unless you are comfortable with anyone in the world seeing your content. Accept people you know ONLY. Exit groups you did not consent to join.
SHARE PERSONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Do not share personal information that can be used against you online or for bank security questions.
Try your best to ‘vet’ people you are sharing information with
REVEAL YOUR LOCATION
Do not reveal the location of your home ever.
Do not reveal where you are until you have left that location.
BECOME ADDICTED
Do not let yourself become addicted to social media, remind yourself that it is not real life and make an effort to do things in person rather than online.
WITH TEENAGERS
SPEND TIME
Make them feel safe to come and talk to you
419 – FALSE IDENTITY / CATFISH
Warn them not to meet anyone they have only met
online without safeguards
BLOCKING
Show them how to report offensive comments or block
people who upset them.
NO PRIVACY
Remind them that all words and images can be captured
and broadcast. Nothing is permanently deleted
SAFETY
Explain how you can use privacy and age settings
TRACKING LOCATIONS
Disable ‘geo-location’ that shares their location
unintentionally
TAGGING
Check ‘tagging’ settings so that their identities are
not revealed. Get people‘s consent before sharing
photos
Put social media to good use and
control the negatives
