Get Guardian on GoogleA youth-led organisation, The Minds for Impact (TMI) Initiative, has urged secondary school students to verify information before sharing it online, as more young people embrace social media and content creation.
The organisation made the call during an interactive session at Tudapems Private School in Akute, Ogun State, on Wednesday, where it engaged more than 160 students from junior secondary school to senior secondary school on misinformation, disinformation and responsible social media use.
The school engagement is part of TMI Initiative’s Pause Before You Share campaign, which promotes information verification and responsible online behaviour, particularly among young people.
During the session, students expressed enthusiasm about joining social media platforms, following popular personalities and exploring content creation. Some of the students disclosed that they already operate social media pages where they create and share content.
The facilitators said the aim was not to discourage students from using social media or creating content, but to help them understand the responsibilities that come with having an online presence.
Mariam Ileyemi, Team Lead of TMI Initiative, encouraged the students to become responsible social media users and ambassadors of truth, noting that “young people play an important role in preventing the spread of false information.”
She also highlighted the importance of digital footprints, reminding the students that information and content shared online could have lasting consequences.
Abdullahi Sulaimon, Programme Co-ordinator of the initiative, highlighted the opportunities social media offers, including connecting people, building relationships, accessing information and discovering employment opportunities.
He encouraged the students to use online platforms productively and responsibly, noting that their experiences in the digital space depend largely on how they engage with them.
The group also shared practical tips with the students on how to identify misleading information, including checking the source of a claim and scrutinising images and videos before sharing them.
Students were also encouraged to protect their personal information, avoid cyberbullying and hate speech, and understand the difference between misinformation and disinformation.
In her remarks, the Principal at Tudapems school, Bukola Oguntoyinbo, also urged the students to be mindful of their digital footprints.
Mrs Oguntoyinbo explained that “content they publish online could benefit them in the future or become a source of embarrassment years later,” adding that some scholarship and other educational opportunities require applicants to maintain a positive online presence.
While online platforms offer opportunities for learning, communication and creativity, concerns about children’s safety online remain significant.
A 2025 UNICEF report, Childhood in a Digital World, found that children’s digital experiences could contribute to the development of useful skills. However, it also highlighted the negative effects of online bullying, sexual abuse and exposure to harmful content on children’s mental health.
The report, which examined evidence across 21 countries, said children who experienced online sexual abuse or bullying had significantly higher levels of anxiety, suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and were more likely to self-harm.
It cautioned against treating screen time alone as the main measure of online harm, pointing instead to the importance of preventing online abuse, bullying and exposure to harmful content.
At the end of the school engagement, students received specially designed stickers bearing the message: “My Voice Matters. So Does the Truth. Pause Before You Share.”
The Minds for Impact Initiative is a youth-led nonprofit organisation working to support underserved communities through education, charitable interventions and advocacy.
Beyond its community support activities, the initiative uses digital content creation, including awareness videos, to educate the public on issues affecting society, particularly health and development.
