The Federal Government has indicated that it may move forward with stricter regulations on children’s access to social media following growing concerns over online safety and digital risks.
This comes after a nationwide survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy found that a large majority of Nigerians support measures aimed at restricting or regulating children’s use of social media platforms.
The findings were unveiled on Thursday during a roundtable on the protection of children online held in Lagos. The event was organised by the ministry in partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Speaking at the event, Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Kasim Sodangi, disclosed that the survey gathered the opinions of 585 respondents on issues relating to children’s social media use, online safety, legal protections and enforcement mechanisms.
According to the survey, 83.4 per cent of respondents backed some form of regulation for children’s access to social media. While 64.8 per cent supported direct regulation, another 18.6 per cent agreed that restrictions were necessary but preferred a different age threshold.
The poll also showed growing support for raising the minimum age for social media use. About 64.5 per cent of respondents favoured setting the age limit at either 16 or 17 years, which is higher than the commonly adopted international benchmark of 13 years.
The ministry noted that nearly all participants in the survey were Nigerians, making the results a strong reflection of local opinions and concerns.
Findings from the poll further revealed widespread anxiety over children’s safety in the digital space. More than 93 per cent of respondents expressed serious concern about the risks young people face online. Of that figure, 69.2 per cent described their concern as extreme, while 24.3 per cent said they were highly concerned.
Exposure to harmful or inappropriate content emerged as the most common risk identified by respondents, with more than 90 per cent highlighting it as a major issue. Other concerns included digital addiction, online grooming, cyberbullying and other forms of exploitation targeting children on internet platforms.
The survey also pointed to a significant knowledge gap, with nearly three-quarters of respondents believing that many children and parents are not adequately informed about cybercrime laws and the legal consequences of online misconduct.
In addition, there was overwhelming support for stronger obligations on technology companies. About 97.6 per cent of respondents agreed that social media platforms should take proactive steps to prevent harm and protect younger users.
Speaking at the roundtable, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the rapid growth of digital technologies requires governments and stakeholders to continuously strengthen safeguards designed to protect children.
He acknowledged that social media provides opportunities for education, creativity and innovation but stressed that young users must also be shielded from harmful content and online exploitation.
“The debate should focus on implementing age restrictions effectively rather than questioning the need for such safeguards.
” Nigeria can deploy digital identity infrastructure and existing platform verification systems to strengthen enforcement of age-based social media regulations.
“The fact that some people may bypass regulations is not a reason for safeguards not to exist.”
Tijani maintained that protecting children online cannot be left to government alone, adding that parents, schools, technology companies and civil society groups all have important roles to play.
Also speaking at the event, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr Vincent Olatunji, warned that children are increasingly exposed to threats across digital platforms.
He listed cyberbullying, cyberstalking, harmful content and mental health challenges among the dangers confronting young internet users.
Olatunji said internet access remains critical for education and personal development but stressed that adequate protections must be put in place to ensure children’s safety.