“Foreign Content Is Changing How African Children Think” — Sam George

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, has raised concerns over the growing influence of foreign digital content on African children, warning that it is gradually eroding traditional values such as respect for parents and elders.

Speaking at the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values on Thursday, June 4, 2026, he said data suggests that many African parents believe modern digital exposure is reshaping children’s behaviour in ways that conflict with cultural norms.

He noted that a significant proportion of content consumed by African children online originates from foreign platforms, which he believes is influencing attitudes and behaviour.

“Seventy-eight per cent of African children’s content comes from foreign platforms… your kids and grandkids are spending time on content that is largely foreign,” he said.

Mr. George also cited findings indicating that one in three African parents report their children have lost the traditional value of respect for elders, attributing this trend to online influence.

He warned that digital platforms have become a dominant force in shaping young people’s worldview, often replacing traditional systems of socialisation.

“You just need to take your time and listen to what our kids are watching… you’ll be shocked at what they are being told is the new norm,” he stated.

The minister further argued that long-held African values such as communal living and respect for elders are increasingly being undermined in the digital age.

“For millennia, the African identity has been respect for the elderly and communal living… today, these values are becoming a thing of the past,” he added.

He urged parents and guardians to take a more active role in monitoring the content their children consume online, stressing that digital platforms are increasingly shaping social behaviour across the continent.