Nigerian actress and social advocate Kate Henshaw is calling for a cultural reset in how families manage children’s access to smartphones and social media, warning that digital overload is steadily reshaping behaviour, attention, and self-worth among young people.
Addressing senior secondary school students at the Chrisland Schools End-of-Year Lecture in Opebi, Lagos, on Wednesday, Henshaw said the rise of a “screen-first generation” is widening the gap between real-life relationships and virtual engagement. She argued that unregulated device use is eroding the fundamental skills young people need to thrive—focus, discipline, empathy, and authentic communication.
Her comments come at a time when governments worldwide are rethinking how minors engage with digital platforms. Henshaw cited Australia’s newly announced restrictions on social media use for under-16s as evidence that safeguarding young minds is becoming a global policy priority. The move, she suggested, should prompt Nigerian parents to re-examine their own digital parenting habits.
Henshaw noted that many parents, overwhelmed by work and daily pressures, use screens as convenient babysitters—a trend she believes has unintended consequences. With constant exposure to highlight reels and online comparisons, she said children increasingly struggle with validation and self-worth, often measuring themselves against curated, unrealistic standards.
She urged families to set predictable routines: chores, study time, rest, and limited evening screen time. The goal, she insisted, is not to demonise technology but to re-establish balance before devices “take over” the role of present, attentive parenting.
Her message reflects a broader debate across Nigerian society: how to raise digitally exposed children without compromising mental health, education, or identity formation. As the country navigates this shift, her call for boundaries adds a powerful voice to a conversation many parents can no longer afford to ignore.
