David Oyedepo, presiding bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, says unlimited access to social media platforms is robbing youths of their future.

Speaking on Friday at the seventh convocation of Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara state, Oyedepo called for urgent steps to check unrestricted access to social media.

The popular cleric, who is also the chancellor of the institution, lamented that many young people spend most of their time chatting, with lesser time to engage in productive tasks.

“It unconsciously robs people of their future by robbing them of their time — no time to think; no time to plan; no time to programme,” Oyedepo said.

“This generation may lose her heroes to social media disaster. Here is one creeping serpent that is eating up the destinies of many individuals.

“We must wake up from our slumber to deal with this monster. Young people, beware! Addiction to social media is like addiction to drugs. It can render a whole destiny useless.

“This social media saga has eroded the substance of destiny of most youths today. What is supposed to be a plus has suddenly become a major minus, because everything of value delivers through investment of time.

“Suddenly, we are faced with a generation on the wrong side of history; the honour of this generation has been wiped off — chatting all day with no time left to think, plan, programme and engage productively in the pursuit of any task.

“Many youths spend less than 10 to 20 percent of their time on their tasks per day. They can never match a generation that spends 70 percent to 80 percent of their time on their tasks.

“We must devise means to put a check on free access to social media, particularly those that are not adding values. Life is a race. Everyone should get on the track, ready for the run of their lives.”

In 2019, the preacher had said it was archaic to attempt regulating social media.

However, in May, Oyedepo said the excessive use of social media has made many lose focus and rob them of their destiny.

On Wednesday, the federal government asked the house of representatives to enact a law to regulate social media in the country.

The decision came less than two weeks after Lai Mohammed, minister of information, announced the suspension of Twitter’s operations in Nigeria.

“Many youths spend less than 10 to 20 percent of their time on their tasks per day. They can never match a generation that spends 70 percent to 80 percent of their time on their tasks.

“We must devise means to put a check on free access to social media, particularly those that are not adding values.”

tamonokare:
Pulpit bandit. Instead of making that school accessible to the poor that paid the tithe and offering that was used to build the school you're there saying rubbish.

Upworkwriter007:
He's talking about Addiction. You just dey find reason to abuse the man

matify83:
Self regulation should be the key word here and not governmental barricade.

Fire is hazardous as a master but gentle and useful when tamed. Same with the internet.

Vaughanlanrewaj:
His view on the deleterious effects of the SM has always been in the public domain and I applaud his frank and sincere concern. Before the advent of the SM, a young lad will never wake up one day and start calling someone old enough to be his grandparents a nincompop . I am particularly worried about reckless impatience, rude and shallow comments and too much abbreviations plus wrong spellings linked to frequent use of SM. I am less inclined to oppose his views if these problems keep limiting the progress of our youths into productive and responsible citizens.

Agbegbaorogboye:


Yet you all called Jonathan clueless

It gets funny when YOU are complaining of wrong spelling

It tickles the tummy when you advertise your free stuffs website

tamonokare:


Which stupid addiction. Is he not addicted to stealing from the gullible in the name of tithe and offering ?

Agbegbaorogboye:


Yet you all called Jonathan clueless

It gets funny when YOU are complaining of wrong spelling

It tickles the tummy when you advertise your free stuffs website

Vaughanlanrewaj:


You need to go through my comments again. I don't use uncouth words. They are not in my vocabulary and I wasn't raised to insult anyone let alone leaders. You can criticise their policies and give credible alternatives .My forte is in frank, civil and intelligent exchanges. Read asslicking. I don't come online to play sir and sincerely , I can't help it sir.visit www.freestuffsng.com for latest freestuffs in Nigeria. God bless Nigeria.

tamonokare:


Which stupid addiction. Is he not addicted to stealing from the gullible in the name of tithe and offering ?

richmond500:
His message is not for people like u, its too big for u.

All u understand is insults and more insults.
If he had said "Nigerian youths are lazy," u would have understood his point.