“It can do more harm than good” — Lai Mohammed reiterates call for social media regulation

At a public reading of his new book in Abuja, Lai Mohammed renewed his long-standing argument that social media platforms require regulation to reduce harm to individuals and society.

Speaking on Thursday at Roving Heights, the former minister of information and culture said regulation should be seen as a safety measure rather than a tool for censorship.

He compared the idea to automobile design. “Cars have speed gears, but they also have brakes,” he said, arguing that unregulated digital spaces can cause damage if left unchecked.

Mohammed said his position is not about restricting expression but about setting standards that protect public welfare. He pointed to developments abroad, citing Australia as an example where age limits are being introduced for social media access.

According to him, issues such as cyberbullying, misinformation and the rise of artificial intelligence have made the need for oversight more urgent. He linked unverified online content to social and personal consequences, including broken homes and mental health challenges among young users.

“We are not saying ban it. We are saying regulate it,” he said, suggesting registration with government authorities and the adoption of a code of conduct for platforms.

The event also marked a discussion of his book, Media Moments That Define An Administration, where Mohammed explained that his aim was to provide context for media narratives during his time in office.

He said public officials have a responsibility to document their experiences and help the public understand what happens behind official statements and news headlines.

Mohammed expressed concern about the growing influence of headlines in shaping public opinion, noting that many readers now consume only summaries rather than full reports.

“The power of headlines is enormous,” he said, adding that shrinking attention spans and the speed of online sharing often lead to the spread of incomplete or inaccurate information.

He criticised broadcast programmes that focus primarily on headline reviews without examining the substance of reports, and said editors often favour striking titles over detailed reporting.

Referencing media coverage during the #EndSARS protests, Mohammed argued that headlines at the time intensified public reaction, citing varying casualty figures reported after the incident at the toll gate.

He said the experience illustrated how unverified information can circulate widely before facts are established, reinforcing his call for structured oversight of digital platforms.