{
  "id": 13112004,
  "title": "Lagos Govt raises alarm over social media impact on children’s mental health",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/lagos-govt-raises-alarm-over-social-media-impact-on-childrens-mental",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-09T12:27:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/09/lagos-govt-raises-alarm-over-social-media-impact-on-childrens-mental-health/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Lagos State Government has urged stronger preventive measures and better parental guidance to tackle the impact of social media and external influences on young people's mental health, according to a statement made at the Mental Health Summit. Tolu Ajomale, speaking on behalf of the state's Commissioner for Health, highlighted how children are increasingly exposed to global content that may conflict with their local environment and cultural norms. He emphasized that unrestricted access to foreign information can shape young Nigerians' self-perception and coping strategies. \"Opening access also means introducing foreign concepts,\" Ajomale noted, illustrating his point with the example of a 10-year-old child in Yaba comparing their life to that of a child in California, despite the vast differences in their backgrounds. He observed a growing vocalization of emotional issues among young people, such as anxiety, anger, and dissatisfaction with life. However, he stressed the importance of providing appropriate support and guidance rather than dismissing these concerns. Ajomale recounted a case where a secondary school student, at just 16 years old, expressed worry about their life and achievements, underscoring the need for adults to listen to children without passing judgment. He advocated for a more empathetic approach to mental health issues among young people, recalling that specialists are in short supply due to the increasing demand for mental healthcare services. \"We don’t have enough beds to manage mental illnesses. We don’t have enough specialists to manage mental illnesses,\" he pointed out. Ajomale stressed the importance of enhancing prevention efforts and early support rather than merely increasing the number of treatment facilities. He also warned that children were distancing themselves from local knowledge and essential social skills as they increasingly depended on online sources. To address this, he called for collaboration among parents, schools, communities, and the government to equip young people with practical knowledge and skills necessary for navigating everyday life. Ajomale urged stakeholders to communicate with young people in a language they could understand, offering context and guidance to help them make informed decisions. He also clarified the distinction between mental health and mental illness, emphasizing the goal of promoting good mental health through support, mentorship, and guidance to help young people cope with life's challenges.",
  "summary": "The Lagos State Government has called for stronger preventive measures and improved parental guidance to address the effects of social media and foreign influences on children’s mental health. Tolu Ajomale, who represented the state’s Commissioner for Health at Vanguard’s Mental Health Summit in Lagos on Friday, said children were increasingly exposed to information and ideas […] Lagos Govt…",
  "key_points": [
    "Lagos State urges stronger preventive measures for children’s mental health.",
    "Social media exposure conflicts with local culture and norms.",
    "16-year-old student expresses worry about life and achievements."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ghanaian Times",
        "title": "Govt takes full charge of vaccine funding US$54m earmarked for 2027 — Health Minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/govt-takes-full-charge-of-vaccine-funding-us-54m-earmarked-for-2027",
        "published": "2026-10-09T06:38:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}