As global activities to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) intensify, the Mothers And Marginalised Advocacy Centre (MAMA Centre), in partnership with Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) Nigeria, has raised fresh concerns about the growing dangers secondary school students face on social media.

Citing recent trends, the organisations noted that over 95 percent of young people aged 13–17 now use social media, with many spending more than three hours daily on various platforms. While these platforms offer connectivity, learning, and entertainment, MAMA Centre stressed that they also expose adolescents to serious, often hidden risks at a sensitive stage of emotional and cognitive development.

In a joint statement by Dr. Chioma B. Kanu, Executive Director of MAMA Centre, and Angela Uzoma Uwandu-Iwuchukwu, Bureau Chief of ASF Nigeria, with support from the French Embassy, the groups highlighted rising concerns.

“We are at a point where we cannot ignore the profound risks social media poses to our young people,” Dr. Kanu said.
“The challenge is multifaceted, impacting mental health, physical safety, and academic focus. Our goal is not to ban these platforms, but to equip our students and families with the knowledge to navigate them safely and healthily.”

According to the organisations, some of the most critical dangers include exposure to harmful content that fuels anxiety, depression, and poor body image, especially among girls. The anonymity embedded in many platforms, they noted, enables cyberbullying, which can follow children into their private spaces, causing deep emotional distress and sometimes leading to self-harm.

The statement further read, “Young people are exposed to inappropriate content including violent and explicit material, misinformation, and dangerous social media challenges. This exposure can normalise risky behaviour and distort their understanding of reality.”

Another major threat highlighted is the increasing presence of malicious actors online. Predators often target vulnerable teens, establishing deceptive relationships with the intention to exploit or extort them—especially when young people overshare personal information.

The organisations also warned that constant notifications and the addictive design of many platforms disrupt sleep patterns, reduce focus on academics, and limit physical activity, which affects overall health and school performance.

Based on these concerns, MAMA Centre and ASF Nigeria issued recommendations to help protect young people. For secondary school students and anyone under 18, they advised the immediate blocking and reporting of any user who makes them uncomfortable, engages in harassment, or sends inappropriate messages.

They encouraged children to immediately “tell a trusted adult,” keep all accounts set to the highest privacy settings, and avoid sharing personal information. The organisations emphasised that meeting online acquaintances alone is dangerous and should never happen without a trusted adult present in a public place.

Recognising that anything posted online becomes part of a young person’s permanent digital footprint, the groups urged adults to teach children to pause before posting private, emotional, or sensitive content.

Parents and guardians were encouraged to maintain open, non-judgemental conversations about online experiences, including influencers, friends, and the emotions certain content evokes. They also advised parents to take advantage of parental control tools like “family pairing,” available on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, to manage screen time and restrict harmful content.

The NGOs warned parents to be alert for signs of distress linked to social media use—such as secrecy, changes in sleep or eating habits, school avoidance, or withdrawal—and to seek professional help when necessary.

On the role of schools, the organisations stressed that digital citizenship education must be integrated into the curriculum. This includes media literacy, critical thinking, countering misinformation, and robust cyberbullying awareness and response training. They also called for confidential access to school counsellors or mental health professionals to help students navigate online pressures.

The statement further urged technology companies operating in Nigeria to establish local content moderation teams with cultural and language expertise. They also advocated for a comprehensive online safety law that defines digital harms and imposes penalties on offenders, noting that effective policy is essential for safeguarding young users.

“By working together, we can ensure that our school children benefit from the positive aspects of the digital world while being protected from its most significant harms,” the statement concluded.

In commemoration of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Beyond the Classroom Foundation (BTCF) is launching The Amplify Show, a four-episode radio series airing on Eagles FM Abuja. The series is designed to spotlight pressing issues affecting girls, spark public dialogue, and share practical solutions to protect and empower young women in both offline and online spaces.

Hosted by Raquel Kasham Daniel, Executive Director of BTCF, the show will feature in-depth conversations with experts, advocates, and practitioners. It aligns with this year’s global theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” calling for stronger protection systems, safer digital environments, and collective action to end gender-based violence.

The series kicks off on November 25, focusing on strengthening school reporting systems for gender-based violence. This episode explores the barriers preventing students from reporting abuse, and how schools can create confidential, child-friendly, and responsive systems to support survivors.

On November 28, the discussion moves into the digital space, examining the growing risks of AI misuse, deepfakes, and other forms of online exploitation. Listeners will gain insights into practical steps girls, parents, and educators can take to navigate digital spaces safely while advocating for stronger systemic protections.

The December 2 episode addresses sexual harassment in higher institutions and the recently passed Sexual Harassment Bill in Nigeria. It explores the culture of silence, the challenges students face in reporting harassment, and strategies to ensure safer, more accountable campuses.

The series concludes on December 4 with a critical conversation about online abuse targeting girls with disabilities, an often-overlooked group facing compounded vulnerabilities. The episode highlights the intersection of gender, disability, and digital exposure, and provides guidance on inclusive measures to protect disabled girls online.

Raquel Kasham Daniel emphasizes that The Amplify Show aims to move beyond awareness to actionable solutions: “We are creating a space to openly discuss the realities girls face, elevate their voices, and inspire change in schools, communities, and online platforms.”

The radio series is produced under BTCF’s Beyond Her Odds Project, which is proudly funded by the IGNITE Consortium. Through this initiative, BTCF continues to strengthen girls’ safety, empowerment, and access to opportunities across Nigeria.

BTCF expresses gratitude to Eagles FM Abuja for partnering on the series and helping to bring these vital conversations to a broader audience.

A renewed wave of energy for girl empowerment swept through Abuja as humanitarian leader and STEM advocate Nyamekye Wilson brought her ongoing West African Humanitarian Leadership Tour to a powerful close with the SPARK Conference 2025.

For several months, Nyamekye has traveled across West Africa, speaking at universities in Ghana, meeting young leaders in Nigeria, and engaging displaced girls and women in the Abuja IDP camp. Everywhere she goes, her message remains unwavering: courage transforms stories and unlocks destinies.

Her tour has focused heavily on leadership, resilience, and menstrual dignity. Through her partnership with Virtuous Pads, she expanded the Dignity for Her Phase 2 Project, reaching vulnerable girls with reusable pads and menstrual health education.

“Wherever I go, I meet girls who want more more opportunity, more dignity, more support,” Nyamekye said. “This tour is about reminding them that they matter, their dreams matter, and they can rise with courage no matter their circumstances.”

The SPARK Conference, organized in collaboration with Virtuous Pads, became one of the defining highlights of this humanitarian journey.

The fireside chat between Nyamekye Wilson and Val Okafor ignited the room with its raw honesty and depth. Speaking on purpose, pain, and perseverance, the conversation left the audience visibly moved.
Val Okafor reflected afterward, saying, “Nyamekye carries a conviction that awakens people. The way she speaks about resilience makes you believe that courage is not optional, it’s necessary.”

One of the standout moments of the day came when Ruth Ugo Ndunaga took the stage to speak on “Our Journey from Dream to Reality.” Her reflection on growth, vision, and the persistence required to build impactful work deeply resonated with attendees. Ruth’s session added a powerful layer of authenticity, reminding the audience that every movement begins with a dream but becomes reality through courage, consistency, and community.

A highly energizing panel session followed, featuring influential voices including Raquel Kasham Daniel, Mayowa Adegbile, Blessing Ibi, and Emiola Adetunji Mustapha. They spoke candidly about navigating challenges, building purpose-driven work, and creating sustainable impact.
According to Raquel Daniel, “Community work must go beyond interventions. Advocacy is what unlocks lasting change. If we stay silent, systems will continue to fail girls.”

A deeply emotional moment of the conference was the award ceremony, where exceptional individuals were honored for their courage, leadership, and commitment to girls’ education.

Award recipients included Nyamekye Wilson, Raquel Kasham Daniel, and Peter Molo, each recognized for their service and dedication to empowering girls and communities. The atmosphere was filled with pride and gratitude as they received their awards, celebrating the milestones achieved through their work.

In her closing remarks, Tabitha Arenson Abimiku the Convener of the SPARK Conference and Founder of Virtuous Reusable Sanitary Pads officially launched Dignity for Her Phase 2, expanding the initiative’s reach and reinforcing the commitment to menstrual equity.
“This conference was not just an event, it was the strengthening of a movement,” she said. “We are building a future where girls can rise with confidence and dignity, and we are just getting started.”

The SPARK Conference 2025 stands as a transformational milestone in Nyamekye’s humanitarian tour a celebration of courage, leadership, and resilience. It reaffirmed a powerful truth: when women rise together, communities are transformed.