By Martin Ekpeke
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy has officially launched a public consultation on regulating social media for children, sparking a heated debate between digital safety advocates and those concerned about the country’s unique socioeconomic realities.
The Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani, announced the initiative via his personal LinkedIn page, emphasizing that while the internet offers vast learning opportunities, it also exposes minors to risks such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and emerging threats from artificial intelligence.
“As Nigeria evaluates potential policy approaches, public input is essential to ensure that any framework adopted reflects national priorities and respects children’s rights,” said Tijani, stressing that the initiative, supported by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), aligns with Section 31 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
Meanwhile, the proposal posted on LinkedIn has drawn a wide spectrum of reactions from industry professionals and the public.
Maryam Shuaibu Aliyu, a digital commentator, noted that nearly 80% of Nigerian teens are active on social media, despite lacking basic cybersecurity knowledge, which leaves them vulnerable.
However, Jennifer Kaberi, a child rights advocate, strongly opposed age restrictions, arguing that such restrictions ignore the African reality.
“If we restrict age, what group of African children are we going to restrict?” Kaberi questioned, pointing out that many Nigerian children already face natural filters like poverty and limited device access. She warned that further restrictions could hinder their ability to compete in a global job market against children who have had internet access since birth.
Beyond the digital divide, some citizens expressed skepticism regarding the government’s motives. Tiwa Odesanya, an aerospace engineer, noted that a trust deficit exists, citing past government discussions about banning social media during periods of civil unrest.
“A lot of work has to be done for citizens to trust the government with such tools/levers,” Odesanya remarked, suggesting that safety regulations could potentially be misused for censorship.
Tech experts are pushing for a “Compliance by Design” approach. Uyouko Nathaniel Ekpo, an AI startup founder, suggested that local AI tools should be built to cite verified legal frameworks to prevent the generation of harmful content. Similarly, Babangida Tsowa, an AI governance specialist, warned that traditional accountability frameworks from 2015 are no longer sufficient to tackle the complexities of generative AI and synthetic content.
On the legislative front, Obasolape Adesina, a consultant at Westat Nigeria, urged the Minister to collaborate with the National Assembly. He noted that a “Child Online Access Protection Bill,” co-sponsored by lawmakers Olumide Osoba and Babajimi Benson, has already passed its third reading in the House of Representatives.
The Ministry is currently collecting data through a public survey, urging parents, educators, and digital professionals to weigh in. Supporters of the move, like Online Oasis Network founder Abiola Salako, argue that while regulation is necessary, it must be paired with digital literacy for parents and teachers.
As the debate continues, the Nigerian government faces the delicate task of balancing international safety standards with the local need for digital inclusion and the restoration of public trust.