The Lagos State Government has warned that social media and foreign influences are increasingly affecting the mental health of children, calling for stronger preventive measures and better parental guidance.
Speaking at Vanguard’s Mental Health Summit in Lagos, Tolu Ajomale, who represented the state’s Commissioner for Health, said that children are now exposed to information and ideas that may be far removed from their immediate environment and cultural realities.
Ajomale cautioned that unrestricted access to global content could shape how young Nigerians view themselves and cope with life’s challenges. “Opening access also means introducing foreign concepts,” he explained, noting that a 10‑year‑old in Yaba could compare their life with that of a child in California, despite stark differences in background and living conditions.
“One of them said, ‘I’m 16. I haven’t done much with my life,’” Ajomale recalled. “No, specialists. We don’t judge. We listen.”
He highlighted the growing number of young people expressing anxiety, anger and dissatisfaction, and urged adults to listen to their concerns rather than dismiss them. Ajomale also pointed out the limitations of Nigeria’s mental‑health system, noting a shortage of hospital beds and qualified specialists.
“We don’t have enough beds to manage mental illnesses. We don’t have enough specialists to manage mental illnesses,” he said. “Increasing the number of treatment facilities alone will not solve the problem; we need to focus on prevention and early support.”
Ajomale warned that children are becoming disconnected from local knowledge and essential social skills as they rely more on online sources that may not equip them for real‑world situations. He called on parents, schools, communities and the government to provide practical knowledge and skills, and to engage younger generations in language they can understand while offering context and guidance for informed choices.
He also stressed the importance of distinguishing between poor mental health and diagnosable mental‑illness, and said the goal is to promote good mental health through support, mentorship and guidance to help young people cope with life’s difficulties.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
