Yemi Obafemi
A recent intentional parenting webinar brought together stakeholders and experts to discuss pressing concerns around children’s screen habits and parental influence. The discussion highlighted the urgent need for effective strategies to promote resilience and confidence in children, equipping them to thrive in today’s digital landscape.
The program organized by News Balance Media and Communication in partnership with Vaccine Network for Disease Control and Health Communication and Visibility.
The second edition attracted global participation and was held on August 30th 2025.
The Convener, Bukola Afeni, described intentional parenting as vital in shaping the moral fabric of the society.
According to Afeni, intentional parenting is crucial in moulding the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and citizens.
She noted further that by instilling positive values and morals, parents can significantly influence the trajectory of their children’s lives and, by extension, the future of society.
The program, she explained, seeks to empower parents and guardians with the skills and knowledge necessary to raise responsible children who will contribute positively to society.
Among other things, the program she said would help equip parents with the skills and knowledge needed to instill positive values and morals in their children, enhance promotion and collaboration between parents, educators, and civil society organizations.
“It would also help in creating a platform for sharing best practices and resources on intentional parenting.” She added.
A child development specialist, Blessing Opum, expressed with dismay parents, especially the busy ones in Nigeria, who often or in most cases unintentionally encourage prolonged screen use by their wards.
“Many parents are constantly working, even from home, and when children seek attention, they are often directed toward screens. This may seem harmless, but research shows that excessive screen time can delay brain development and reduce cognitive skills,” Opum said.
She added that even educational content, such as rhymes or learning videos on letters and numbers, can be excessive if children spend too much time in front of screens.
“Parents often think, ‘They are learning,’ but the reality is that overexposure can still negatively impact their development,” Opum explained.
Epum then stressed the importance of parents and teachers working together to regulate children’s daily screen time.
According to Epum, excessive screen time poses a great danger to the children, noting that children now feel bored without screen
“As a teacher, even though you have TVs or you have screens and whiteboards and all of those kinds of gadgets in your classrooms, and yeah, it’s good for us to use videos to teach them, multimedia mode of teaching.
“However, there should be a caution to that. There should be a time limit. It should be time bound.” she noted.
While dissecting the issue further, the Founder and CEO of Vaccine Network for Disease Control, Chika Offor, emphasized the need for collaboration among civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to enhance child development initiatives.
Offor further urged NGOs to examine existing policies: “The positive aspect is that there is so much we can achieve together as CSOs and NGOs. We need to ask, are there policies on parenting or child health? Do they need amendments? When were they last reviewed? These are the questions NGOs should be exploring.”
On the role of NGOs in parenting and child education, Offor noted that many organizations’ work does not help matters, thereby limiting the impact of their efforts.
She nevertheless stressed the importance of pooling knowledge and best practices into a unified framework that can be accessed and utilized by others.
“Collaboration is key,” Offor said: “CSOs and NGOs must come together, share their expertise, and build the capacity of others, especially in areas like parenting, education, and child health.”
“The same child who benefits from health initiatives also needs support in education, mental well-being, and overall development.
“Integrating these efforts ensures that children receive holistic care in schools and communities.
“Research shows intentional parenting is critical for national development,” she added. “NGOs must include parenting in their programs and collaborate to ensure children’s growth is supported in every sphere.
Offor thereafter urged NGOs to document and share lessons learned, questioning whether valuable insights would remain confined to discussions or be made widely accessible online for broader learning.
Giving an insight on Emotional Presence, and Active Listening in Child Upbringing, Tunde Ajileye, a former manager at Sheraton hotel and clergy, observed that many children today struggle with low self-esteem because their parents focus more on correction than affirmation.
According to him, while traditional discipline teaches values like patience, excessive rigidity without empathy often makes children feel unloved and pushes them to seek comfort elsewhere.
“A parent must be able to strike a balance,” Ajileye noted. “If you turn to the extreme on both sides, you will be missing it. Parents must have the necessary emotional intelligence to put themselves in their children’s shoes and ask: What is this person feeling? What is the likely effect of my actions?”
He stressed that parents must remain informed about social and technological changes, including artificial intelligence, because children are already exposed to such trends outside the home.
On the role of fathers in ensuring emotional stability, Ajileye explained that earning a child’s trust and respect is critical.
He warned that when fathers fail to set moral and social boundaries early, children become more vulnerable to peer pressure, drug abuse, and negative influences.
“Parenting goes beyond biology,” he said. “It requires sacrifice from both father and mother. Children watch how you treat them. There is a difference between discipline and punishment. If you don’t apply emotional intelligence, your children will fear you instead of warming up to you.” He said.
Going forward, he also emphasized the importance of active listening in the home, describing it as one of the most effective ways to build trust and prevent rebellion.
He likened it to negotiation in labour unions, where parties resolve disputes by hearing each other out.
“Unfortunately, some parents believe children know nothing, but these children know a lot, and when you listen, you validate them. If you don’t, they will seek validation outside, and that may not produce the results you want as a parent.”
He urged parents to engage their children in open conversations, reward good behaviour, share personal experiences, and guide them with wisdom rather than authoritarian control.
“Be approachable, firm, and open-minded. That is how you earn their trust and help them make the right decisions even when you are not there.”
Ajileye submitted further that on the whole, listening to children is also key.
