By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Nene Aderibigbe, mother of Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, has expressed concern over the influence of social media on Generation Z, arguing that many young people increasingly rely on other people’s opinions instead of developing independent thoughts.

Aderibigbe said the growing dependence on smartphones and social media platforms was affecting how young people think, make decisions and recognise their abilities.

According to her, many members of the younger generation possess remarkable talents but struggle to identify their strengths because they are constantly influenced by what they see and hear online.

Speaking about the issue, she criticised the impact of social media on young people’s ability to form their own opinions.

“Social media has just turned a lot of things upside down. They don’t have their own thinking again; it is only people’s thinking they use now,” she said.

Aderibigbe suggested that the pressure to follow online trends and seek approval from others could be preventing young people from understanding themselves and developing their individual identities.

She also expressed worry that excessive phone use could be distracting young people from discovering their potential and reflecting on their personal growth.

The mother of the award-winning singer advised members of Generation Z to deliberately spend time away from their devices and focus on understanding themselves better.

She recommended taking at least two to three hours away from their phones to reflect on their lives, assess their thoughts and practise meditation.

“Take your time, drop your phone down for two, three hours, do mental note, put your head down, take a mental note or meditate,” she advised.

Her comments highlight ongoing concerns about the influence of social media on young people, particularly regarding self-awareness, independent thinking and personal development.

Although digital platforms provide opportunities for learning, creativity and communication, concerns have also been raised about the pressure to conform to online trends and the tendency to compare personal achievements with the lives portrayed by others.

Aderibigbe’s advice encourages young people to create time for activities away from their screens, allowing them to develop their own perspectives and recognise their abilities without relying entirely on external validation.

Her remarks come amid broader discussions about the role of technology in shaping the attitudes and behaviour of younger generations.

Generation Z generally refers to people born between the late 1990s and the early 2010s, many of whom have grown up with smartphones and social media as significant parts of their daily lives.

Aderibigbe’s message is that young people should be more intentional about how they use these platforms and ensure that online influences do not replace their ability to think independently.

She believes that stepping away from social media, even for a few hours, can give young people an opportunity to reflect, discover their strengths and make decisions based on their own understanding rather than the opinions of others.