Foundation Tackles Rising Social Media Risks Among Teens

Growing concerns over social media addiction, online pressure and digital vulnerability among teenagers have prompted a non-governmental organisation, Hope Circle Foundation to launch a new intervention aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the skills to navigate the digital world safely and productively.

The initiative tagged School2School Teens Summit debuted in Lagos, bringing together over 100 secondary school students in Lagos for conversations on digital literacy, social responsibility, leadership and future opportunities.

The programme comes amid increasing concerns about the impact of excessive social media use on young people.

According to data published in Clinical Psychology Review and reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 17 per cent of the world’s population struggles with social media addiction, with children and teenagers facing the highest risk.

The report also showed that Africa records the highest regional prevalence at 37 per cent.

Against this backdrop, founder of Hope Circle Foundation, Hope Odabi, said the School2School initiative was conceived as a direct response to the growing digital and social challenges confronting teenagers.

‘’We cannot leave the next generation to navigate the digital wilderness alone. School2School is a deliberate intervention designed to step directly into classrooms, shift the narrative for teenagers, and turn social media from a source of distraction into a powerful tool for economic and personal growth,” Odabi said.

She noted that while digital platforms offer immense opportunities for learning, entrepreneurship and networking, many young people lack the guidance required to harness these opportunities responsibly.

Commenting, Founder of Redlantan Media, Deji Onadeko, and founder of Axia Africa, Olawale Samuel, challenged participants to embrace discipline, leadership and purpose-driven use of technology, while positioning themselves for opportunities in the digital economy.

The summit also witnessed the unveiling of Social Media Is A Whole Lot More: The Teen Guide to Building Your Future, a book authored by Odabi to provide practical guidance on digital identity, personal branding and future readiness.