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Nigerian Catholic Priest Calls for Renewed Christian Parenting amid Social Media Influence

Fr. George Ehusani. Credit: ACI Africa

A Nigerian Catholic Priest has called for a revitalized form of Christian parenting to instill strong values in children amid what he describes as pervasive influences of social media in society. 

In an interview with ACI Africa on Tuesday, November 12 during the 46th National Convention of the Ladies of St. Mulumba (LSM), Nigeria, Fr. George Ehusani noted that without a conscious and committed approach to parenting, future generations could face severe consequences.

“If the future is going to be better, if we are to save our children and grandchildren, then we need a new form of parenting, a more committed, deliberate, and devoted approach,” Fr. Ehusani told ACI Africa.

He added, “Today, parents barely spend 10 minutes with their children, while these same children are exposed to the internet for 10 hours daily. You can't expect positive outcomes from this imbalance.”

Reflecting on the implications of uninvolved parenting, the Executive Director of the Lux Terra Leadership Foundation noted that parents who neglect their responsibilities may one day regret their inaction.

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He pointed out that many elderly parents experience sorrow when they witness their children facing struggles that could have been avoided with a more robust foundation in their formative years. 

He said that many elderly parents are not happy with the paths their children and grandchildren have taken, adding, “For many, their joy in old age comes from the progress and strong values they see in their children. But when children fail to represent their parents' values, it brings sorrow.”

He highlighted the influence of social media on young Nigerians, warning that its impact on values and character is significant and often negative. 

 Fr. Ehusani urged parents to reassume their primary role in guiding and shaping their children’s character, noting that without a renewed approach to parenting, society risks losing its core values.

“The traditional agents of socialization, the family, the church, and the school, have lost much of their authority,” he said, adding, “Today, peer groups, television, home videos, and internet platforms like Facebook, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Netflix have overshadowed parents, priests, catechists, and teachers in shaping the next generation’s values.”

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He continued, “The same youth, a 15-year-old for instance, might receive an average of 20 minutes of religious instruction each week, while they’re spending up to 10 hours daily consuming whatever the internet has to offer, from the educational to the destructive, including explicit and harmful content.”

With the prevalence of mobile phones, television, and billboards, Fr. Ehusani pointed out that celebrities and influencers, often with questionable morals, now exert more influence on children’s values than traditional authority figures. 

He explained that many of these influencers come from broken homes, struggle with addiction, or display concerning behavior, yet they amass millions of young followers. 

“Many of these celebrities are school dropouts, come from dysfunctional families, or deal with substance abuse issues. They are called social influencers because they shape young minds, but often for corporate profits rather than the wholesome development of their audience,” he said.

The 67-year-old Catholic Priest also observed that Nigeria’s economic challenges contribute to the difficulty of parenting. 

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“As a result, we are losing a hold on our children and the future generation.” the founder of the Psycho-Spiritual Institute (PSI), a Catholic entity that specializes in psycho-trauma healing said.

He Christian leaders and parents to reclaim their roles as primary influencers in their children’s lives.  

Fr. Ehusani encouraged them to invest time and resources in instilling values such as integrity, faith, and social responsibility. 

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print,  Electronic and Multi-Media Production.