The Federal Government is considering new measures to protect children online, including age restrictions and enhanced social media regulations. Bosun Tijani, the Supervising Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, said on Monday that while the internet offers valuable opportunities for learning, creativity, and communication, it also exposes children to risks such as cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation, misuse of personal data, and emerging challenges linked to artificial intelligence tools. “As Nigeria explores policy options to safeguard children online, including age restrictions, improved age verification, platform accountability, and stronger regulatory oversight, it is crucial that public input is included to ensure policies reflect national priorities, uphold children’s rights, and align with Nigeria’s digital realities,” Tijani stated. He called on parents, educators, young people, and digital professionals to share their perspectives through a survey designed to shape evidence-based policies. The Ministry emphasized that any adopted framework must balance national interests with children’s rights while addressing the country’s fast-evolving digital landscape. Nigeria has seen rapid growth in internet and social media use over the past decade, largely driven by increased smartphone adoption and expanding mobile broadband networks. According to Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), over 40 million Nigerians now spend an average of six hours daily on social media.
