“Getting your children the correct and standard ICT devices does not guarantee future success.” This was the submission of Dr. (Mrs.) Temitayo Akinyele, Dean, School of Vocational and Technical Education, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta while delivering the Guest Lecture titled, “The Banes and Benefits of ICT among Teenagers and Youth: Monitoring Roles of Parents,” at the FUNAAB International School (FUNIS) 13th Speech and Prize-Giving Day/9th Valedictory Service.
According to Dr. Akinyele, a child’s success is built around the parent’s ability to be a good role-model, a disciplined guide, a loving friend, a confidant, playmate, first love as well as an all round teacher.
According to her, parents should be involved in the child’s activities in the usage of Social Media, and most often, monitor and train the child in the way he or she should go when using Social Media.
The Guest Lecturer said that ICT has grown to become a bane to teenagers and youths of today because it has brought about internet addiction to them, and to an extent has affected their academic performance, it leads to family neglect, cheating, sleep deprivation, depression and stealing/internet fraud among others.
She also noted that it has exposed the youths to online risks of various kinds such as online harassment, pornography, sexual abuse and kidnapping. Dr. Akinyele further warned parents not to frustrate their children by driving them to the solace of ICT, rather, they should engage them and discuss what they have learnt and their activities on social media with them.
She also tasked the parents to “get access to your children’s phones, to find out what they download, watch, discuss.” This she said must be done with Godly wisdom to avoid problem.
She encouraged parents not to shout on their children whenever they come across negative things on their phones, but rather, get their confidence and do not discuss the matter with outsiders.
She further stated that parentsshould update their ICT knowledge, in order to be at par with their children; desist from lying to the child, but rather tell them the truth they need to know as well as getting to know, as much as possible, ones child’s friends and the groups he/she moves with and embrace them if they are the right ones.
To the youths, graduands and children, she said that ICT is not forbidden, but a veritable tool for their development, innovations, creativity and good source for knowledge.
She however advised that they should be disciplined and exercise self-control in their day-to-day use of it.
Earlier in his Goodwill Message, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kolawole Salako, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Morenike Dipeolu, congratulated the parents of the graduands for their sacrifice, and the Principal, Mrs. Toyin Juba for her drive for excellence and success.
The Vice-Chancellor charged the students to be the best they can be in whatever field they find themselves in future, and most especially, remain truthful.
Also, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Michael Adedigba charged the students to separate themselves from the crowd and avoid youth derailment, in whatever form such as drug abuse, cultism, religion extremism and prostitution, among others.
Mr. Adedigba tasked them to be committed and be different from others, listen to their parents’ advice, consult God whenever they are at the crossroads of life and consult Google whenever they are at intellectual crossroads.
A total of 54 students were graduated out this year as the school also rewarded excellent performance of its students in various classes.
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