Concerned Nigerians have advocated the responsible use of the internet, as an effective instrument of education and enrichment, especially in the moral formation of the young people. The group made up of parents, teachers and the clergy, posited this in a communique at the end of a one-day enlightenment conference, themed, “The deception of pornography and dangers of abortion”, held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Cathedral, Kano State. Recognising the new communication technologies as wonderful gifts from God, they observed that of all media, the internet has the most important impact on children and youths, encouraging its positive use as an effective channel of education and enrichment, and not as a vehicle of a deformed outlook on life, family and morality.
They said the internet should be a path to upholding and promoting the value, dignity, sanctity and sacredness of the human life in all ramifications. The group urged the citizenry to commit themselves to the promotion and defense of life as against the spread of the culture of destruction and death, and the tyranny of evil in the society. They advocated awareness programmes to combat the spread of pornography and abortion, and ensure zero tolerance of this trap among young people. The group called for the collaboration of all human development stakeholders to encourage anti-pornographic and violence campaign and to teach children and youths the right values. They encouraged media education programmes for young people to be able to analyse, scrutinise and criticise media content and products, urging parents, religious leaders, government and other regulatory authorities to help guide young people in their consumption of media content.
The communique read in parts: “Government should work out modalities and regulatory framework for censorship. “The Film and Censors Board of Nigeria and the National Communications Commission (NCC) must be seen to be active and alive to its responsibilities by enforcing the laws.” Among other things, the group recommended collective efforts be made at local, national and international levels to combat the evil of human trafficking, child pornography and sex slavery prevalent in today’s world. They said young people should be led into healthy and godly sexual behaviour through comprehensive sexuality education curriculum, dress codes, guidance and counselling services in schools and parishes.
Among other recommendations, they urged, parents and elderly ones to draw the children to God, take them to church, fellowships, and activities of the Church, be the bible the children read, and be of good character and attitude to one’s family. The communique recommendations include: “Teach your children to be contented with what they have to avoid misconduct, training of the children should be for both parents. “Sex education should be taught to both male and female children at an early age. Be your children’s friends so they be open to you and free to say their minds. Family meetings should be organised from time to time, and everyone should be given the freedom to express themselves.”
