The Federal Government has officially commenced a public consultation process to gather citizens' views on measures aimed at protecting children in digital spaces, including the potential introduction of minimum age limits for social media usage.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the initiative on Tuesday via his official X account, highlighting the dual nature of the internet as both an opportunity and a threat to young Nigerians.
"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 wrote.
The consultation forms part of broader government efforts to develop policies that ensure safer digital environments for children navigating Nigeria's rapidly expanding online landscape.
Policy Options Under Consideration
According to the minister, the government is evaluating several policy approaches, including:
· Age restrictions for social media platforms
· Improved age-verification systems
· Stronger accountability measures for digital platforms
· Enhanced regulatory oversight mechanisms
Tijani emphasized that public participation is crucial to ensure any framework adopted reflects national priorities while protecting children's rights. "As Nigeria evaluates potential policy approaches for protection of children online, including age restrictions, improved age verification systems, platform accountability measures, and enhanced regulatory oversight, public input is essential," he stated.
The minister shared a link to a survey, encouraging Nigerians—including parents, educators, young people, and digital professionals—to provide feedback that will help shape evidence-based policies tailored to Nigeria's unique digital landscape.
Global Context
The proposed move follows international developments where countries like Australia have introduced strict regulations, including banning children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. Other nations are also grappling with how to balance child protection with digital inclusion.
Nigeria's approach appears more consultative, seeking to understand local realities before implementing restrictions that could affect millions of young internet users. The government acknowledges that any framework must "respond to the realities of Nigeria's digital landscape."
Stakeholder Reactions
Initial reactions to the consultation have been mixed. Child rights advocates welcome the focus on online safety but caution against blanket restrictions that might exclude children from educational opportunities. Digital rights groups emphasize the need for solutions that respect children's rights to access information and participate in digital spaces.
Parent associations have expressed support for measures that would give them greater confidence in allowing their children to use social platforms.
The Federal Government stated that insights gathered from the consultation will help guide decisions on how best to protect children while ensuring they continue to benefit from opportunities offered by the digital space. The survey remains open for public participation.
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