By Uzo Ugwunze
Nigeria has been ranked fifth among countries with the most daily time spent on social media across the world. The World of Statistics with figures from Cable.co.uk reports that Nigerians spend an average of 3 hours and 23
minutesl per day on social media .
The report is coming as the Onitsha Catholic Diocese joins the rest of the world to mark Worlds Communication Week 2025 X-:raying the theme”Share with Gentleness the hope that is in your hearts’ in a symposium at Trinity College, Basilica Square, Onitsha.
Presenting a paper titled ‘ Catholics and Digital Identity/Media: Challenges and Prospects for Responsible Netizenship’ Rev Fr. Anacletus Ogbunkwu revealed that about 5 million Nigerians are online every minute of the day saying that the advent of phone, internet or social media though with many advantages are not without its many challenges .
“Challenges of the social media stems from the Influencers and Content Creators. They are visitors. Millions of these visitors have invaded many homes right inside their bedroom.
“The challenges include Domestic disturbance, Lateness to work
Shallow in thinking no deep thought and concentration, pressing phone while in church, serious meeting or Studies. Short attention span, Prayerlessness in the morning because of addiction to social media.
“We must be ready to combat this addiction. The string of these contents register in the subconscious, indulgence and running away from reality , postponing the evil day, destroying family bonding.
“Responsible use of the phone must be modelled by the right influencers like the parents and teachers.
“We must remember that Social Media is a visitor and define and determine how to use the phone, determine the particular content to access. Define the time to access the Social Media, how and what to access, have family meeting with your children. They should not watch things they are not proud of when you are around. Let us be always conscious of these visitors,” stressed Fr. Ogbunkwu.
The MD/CEO Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata explored the numerous advantages of social media and internet technology saying for instance, the Ai -Artificial Intelligence has made it possible for anyone to become anything the person wants to become.
“In order not to lose our youths, we must push out the right contents. We call for balance while exposing our children to the internet or tech devices. I think that our parents and care givers would need to put hands together and assist this children.
“These tools are here to stay wether we like it or not. In Anambra State for example, we have piloted smart tools in 22 public schools. We are going to fit them with smart cameras, computers, internet, solar, new desks and tables because that is where the world is going. The Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has approved we pioneer that because Anambra State understands that we need to build digital students in our public schools.
“We should also encourage our teachers to understand how to draw balance because if you refuse to allow them access these youths will learn it the other way (the negative side of the internet,) Internet is already here to stay, it is really about how do you draw balance especially Parents, Guardians and teachers should be encouraged to play this balancing role for these youths.
” Otter is an Ai tool which can assist a priest or lay leader in preparing an homily. You can voice over your message into otter and it will convert it to texts. The priest can now tell Chat GBT to arrange the homily into short messages for face book or Whatsapp or Instagram, it will be converted instantly. This is a practical way to maximize this tools inside your phone or internet. You can actually interact with this Ai and it makes work easier for you,” Agbata said.
According to Director of Communications Catholic Archdiocese, Onitsha and Public Affairs Secretary to the Archbishop of Onitsha, Rev Fr. George Adimike, just like the last speaker who spoke on ‘Responsible and Evangelical use of Modern Technological tools’ We are in the era of Ai artificial intelligence, transhumanism. Human beings live by communication which have evolved from story telling to writing, to mass media, to social media to Ai. .
“With Ai just ask it to advise you or whatever you want, Ai will do it with many options for you to choose within a minute.
“The position of the church is that every means of communication is a blessing, tech tools have come to help man live a better life but if we do not use those tools responsibly and for evangelization it will be the undoing of mankind. Communication should be done in such a way to enhance people and not destroy people.
“Through the Archbishop directive to organize this symposium students, undergraduate, priests, parishioners, etc we are leaving here better equipped to use these internet tech tools responsibly and Evangelically,” Fr Adimike said.
In their separate speeches Dr Uche Nwakor advised against prolonged use of phones because of radiation which could be cancerous warning against overuse of ear piece and ear pod which could affect the brain while Mrs Chinwe Ezediora harped on the need for parents to build faith and inculcate family values in their children to enable them exhibit good morals wether anyone is watching or not. She further urged parents to show exemplary life as a model that will influence the live and character of their children positively.
Anambra State House of Assembly Member representing Onitsha North 2, Hon. Pat Okafor and his counterpart representing Njikoka 2, Dr Jude Akpua Deputy Majority leader both pointed out that although ICT has brought a lot of positivity but it has its challenges especially on the youths The lectures were contradictory some for and some against the use of social media. It is left for us to sift it and use the positive of ICT saying that communication is vital but it must be done healthily in order not to harm.