The Federal Government has launched a public consultation process to gather Nigerians’ views on possible measures to protect children online, including the introduction of age restrictions for social media platforms.
The initiative was announced on Tuesday by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, through his official X account.
According to the minister, while the internet has created significant opportunities for learning, creativity and communication among young people, it also exposes them to several dangers.
“While the internet offers significant 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,” Tijani said.
He explained that the government is currently reviewing several policy options aimed at strengthening online protection for children. These include possible age restrictions for social media use, improved systems for verifying users’ ages, stronger accountability for digital platforms, and enhanced regulatory oversight.
Tijani emphasised that public participation would play a key role in shaping any policy adopted by the government.
“As Nigeria evaluates potential policy approaches for protecting children online, public input is essential to ensure that any framework reflects national priorities, respects children’s rights, and responds to the realities of Nigeria’s digital landscape,” he said.
The minister also shared a survey link, inviting Nigerians to contribute their opinions and suggestions on the proposed measures.
In recent months, several countries have introduced stricter regulations on children’s access to social media. For instance, Australia recently implemented a policy banning social media use for individuals under the age of 16.
Tijani called on parents, educators, young people, digital professionals, and other stakeholders to participate in the consultation process, stressing that their feedback would help develop evidence-based policies to create safer online spaces for children across Nigeria.
