Nene Aderibigbe, mother of chart-topping Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, has voiced concern over the heavy influence of social media on Generation Z, asserting that many young people have traded independent thought for online validation.

Speaking on the behavioral shifts among the younger generation, Aderibigbe warned that an over-reliance on smartphones is preventing youth from realizing their innate potential and recognizing their own talents.

"Social media has just turned a lot of things upside down. They don’t have their own thinking again; it is only people’s thinking they use now," Aderibigbe said.

Aderibigbe argued that while many members of Gen Z are naturally gifted, constant online engagement and reliance on external validation blind them to their personal strengths and individual capabilities.

She emphasized that true creative and personal growth requires stepping away from curated online feeds and focusing inward.

To counter the growing digital addiction, Aderibigbe urged young people to incorporate daily screen-free periods into their routines for self-reflection and mental clarity.

"Take your time, drop your phone down for two, three hours, do mental note, put your head down, take a mental note or meditate," she advised.

Ayra Starr's mother, Nene Aderibigbe shares why she worries so much for GenZ https://t.co/JuJiTEfhd0

— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) November 4, 2026