Experts push for stronger parental involvement in children’s online lives

Parenting specialists have urged parents to adopt a more intentional and proactive approach to monitoring and guiding their children’s online activities.

They made the call at the 2025 parenting conference, themed “Building Generational Faith, Parenting Eternal Impact.”

Certified parenting coach, Mrs. Bunmi Adeniran, popularly known as Mummy Coach, said parents must shift from passive observation to active engagement if they hope to protect their children from harmful digital influences.

She noted that the fast pace of modern life often leaves parents with little time for hands-on involvement, creating room for external factors to shape children’s values and behaviour.

Sharing her personal experience, she emphasized the need for parents to be present on the social media platforms their children use.

“There is no way you can do without social media. When my children joined Facebook 18 or 15 years ago, I decided to be their friend,” she said.

 “My first son asked why. I told him that as long as I pay for the phone and the data, I have a right to know what goes on there. If I can’t know the password, then I can’t pay.”

Adeniran also spoke on balancing discipline with nurturing, stressing that love and compassion must remain central to raising well-rounded children.

She warned against punitive discipline, saying its aim should be to teach rather than instill fear.

“The goal of discipline should be teaching. Parents should adopt correction methods that build skills, self-regulation, and problem-solving,” she said.

She advised parents to avoid disciplining children when angry or emotionally overwhelmed, noting that calm, intentional correction produces better outcomes.

According to her, effective parenting rooted in empathy, respect, and healthy discipline supports the development of mentally, socially, morally, and spiritually balanced adults.

She likened parenting to sowing seeds, saying children flourish when nurtured in the right environment.

Other speakers at the conference — including Pastor Oluwafemi Oyewunmi, Pastor Nifemi Olawande, Coach Femi Adisa, Rev. Tokunbo Adejuwon, and Pastor Elizabeth Olumuyiwa echoed her message.

They emphasised the need for parents to collaborate, remain actively involved, and intentionally instill sound values, discipline, and emotional support in their children.

The event also featured a soul-lifting worship session by gospel singer Ernieola Olusoga.

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