If you must give your kids phones, give them one without internet - Teco Benson

Veteran Nollywood filmmaker, Teco Benson, has shared some tips on parenting. Speaking with Punch, the highly respected director, revealed he does not think kids should have phones with internet. Read excerpts below:

How would you define fatherhood?

Fatherhood for me is a higher call of responsibility. It involves a lot of mentoring; a lot of hard work because every father wants the best for his children

What has been your greatest challenge as a father?
Sometimes as a father, there are things one wishes to do for one’s children. But because the financial resources are not there, one has to make do with what one has. Also, the society is a problem. There is a way that would lead to a better tomorrow for the children and one makes all the efforts to set them on that path. But the kind of system that we have in the neighbourhood, school, etc, are not helping matters. One thus needs a lot of extra work to deconstruct the things they pick up in school. You have to be on your guard always. Also, social media has come with a lot of challenges. The cartoons we thought were not corrupt have their own challenges including the movies and several things around us.

How do you discipline your children whenever they act up?
The word of God has always been the key. I always tell them the ‘reason why’ whenever I chastise them for doing anything wrong. I also use myself as an example.

At what age did you become a father?

I married at the age of 30 and by 31, I was already a father.

How best do you think parents can monitor their children’s activities on social media platforms?
I agree that social media is a kind of disaster for children. There are some things that young minds cannot control and only adults can. Even some adults do not have self-control not to talk of the young ones. The best thing parents can do is to also be scientific and Internet savvy. They should give their kids phones with no Internet if they have to use phones at all. It is the duty of every parent to monitor their use of social media. Children discuss a lot of things on social media with their friends.