Abuse of social media causing mental illnesses among students – UI Imam warns parents

The Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan, Professor Muftau Abdulrahman Oloyede has said that addiction and abuse of social media is causing mental illnesses among students of tertiary institutions.

Oloyede made this declaration in his sermon shortly after he led the Muslim congregation to observe the two Rakah obligatorily Eld-Fitri prayers at the premises of the university on Wednesday.

Prominent Muslims who were at the Eld-Fitri prayer included former Governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Barrister Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli and Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin.

The Islamic cleric while addressing the gathering lamented that too much time spent on social media among students has resulted in various cases of mental illnesses recorded among students in recent times.

He then advised parents and guardians to monitor their children on the usage of social media, adding that some cases of mental illnesses among students have been traced to excessive use of social media.

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The Don in his address, also condemned the recent killing of soldiers in the country, advising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the people responsible for the act are brought to book.

“Social media has its usefulness and also has its dangers. We have reports from our medical service unit that some students are having mental illness. This is as a result of addiction and abuse of social media.

“Some of them spend their nights without sleeping on the internet and this is affecting them. They cannot sleep again because they have one online course or the other.

“Addiction to social media is causing mental problems among the students. Parents should be warned and advised not to use social media negatively.

“The killing of our soldiers is unfortunate. The president should take action and ensure that those responsible are brought to the book. It is not done in normal society for you to kill the soldiers and police protecting you”.