Dear Parents and Guardians,
We write to you today not as critics, but as concerned members of a community striving to raise the next generation in faith, discipline, and moral uprightness. We understand that your deepest desire is to shield your children from the moral decay that seems to plague the world. Historically, the best way to do this, particularly regarding issues of sexual morality, has been through silence.
In many Nigerian homes, the topic of sex is treated like a taboo, a subject too sensitive or sacred for open discussion. We often adopt a strategy of “protective ignorance,” assuming that if a child doesn’t ask, they don’t know, and if they don’t know, they won’t stray. This has led to an unofficial outsourcing of sexual education. We confidently expect that our children’s teachers, pastors, imams, or youth leaders will handle the difficult conversations, reinforcing the values we teach in general terms at home. This approach, rooted in tradition and genuine fear, is comfortable for us, but is it still effective?
We must face the truth: in 2025, the silence is no longer protective; it is dangerous.
The Digital Flood and The Erosion of Innocence
The world today is radically different from the one we grew up in. Our children are digital natives, equipped with smartphones, laptops, and affordable data, affording them unfettered access to the global internet. The gatekeepers of information—the parents—have been circumvented by technology.
This is the core of the problem: while we remain silent, waiting for the “right time” or waiting for the school to intervene, the internet is speaking loudly and constantly. Our children, even at young ages, are exposed to a relentless flood of content that is often misleading, toxic, and morally bankrupt. They encounter:
- Pornography and Explicit Content: Unfiltered, graphic content is just a few clicks or scrolls away on social media and video platforms.
- Distorted Views of Relationships: They see sexual relationships glamorized, trivialized, and disconnected from commitment, respect, and emotional connection.
- Misinformation: In the absence of parental guidance, children rely on peers and online strangers who spread inaccurate, often harmful, advice about sexuality, health, and morality.
When this highly-charged content meets a child’s natural curiosity and the physical changes of adolescence, the result can be catastrophic. Our children are at risk of engaging in risky behaviors, developing distorted views of their own self-worth, facing unintended pregnancies, and contracting STIs, all because the first—and most trusted—source of truth remained silent.
Reclaiming Your Narrative: Why You Must Lead the Conversation
As parents, you are your child’s first teacher and most crucial moral guide. No teacher, no cleric, and certainly no social media algorithm can replace your influence. The conversation about sexual morality must start at home, and here is why:
- You Provide the Moral Framework: Only you can anchor the conversation in your family’s core values and spiritual beliefs. When your child learns about sex from you, it is integrated into a context of love, respect, and responsibility—not just biology or pleasure.
- It is Age-Appropriate: You know your child best. You can tailor information and discussions to match their developmental stage, answering their questions honestly, calmly, and positively, without overwhelming them.
- You Build Trust: Open, non-judgmental communication creates a safe space. If your child feels they can talk to you about their curiosities, fears, or mistakes, they are far less likely to seek guidance from dangerous external sources.
This is not a single, uncomfortable talk; it is a series of ongoing, natural conversations. Start early, using correct terms for body parts. As they enter adolescence, discuss boundaries, respect, and the weight of moral choices. Help them understand that their body is sacred and that sexuality is a gift to be handled with dignity and wisdom.
We urge you: break the silence. Be the most informed and loving voice your child hears on this critical topic. Your leadership now will determine their moral stability in a digitally exposed world.
Yours in commitment to the next generation,
A Fellow Stakeholder in Nigeria’s Future
