Nigeria Plans Stricter Social Media Rules for Children

The Federal Government of Nigeria is considering stricter regulations to limit children's access to social media, prompted by increasing concerns over online safety. A nationwide survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy revealed that 83.4% of the 585 respondents support regulating children's use of social media platforms.

The survey, presented during a roundtable event in Lagos, showed that 64.8% favor direct regulation, while 64.5% support raising the minimum age for social media use to 16 or 17 years. The survey also highlighted that 93% of respondents expressed serious concerns about the risks children face online, with 69.2% describing their concerns as extreme.

Key issues identified include digital addiction, online grooming, and cyberbullying. Dr.

Vincent Olatunji from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission warned about the increasing threats children encounter on digital platforms. The event emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among government, parents, schools, and technology companies to ensure children's safety online.