The Federal Government has opened a public consultation to gather Nigerians’ opinions on possible measures aimed at protecting children online, including the introduction of age restrictions for social media platforms.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, announced the initiative on Tuesday through his official X account, noting that while the internet provides opportunities for young people, it also presents significant risks.
Tijani said children benefit from the digital space through learning, creativity and communication, but warned that they are also exposed to dangers such as cyberbullying, harmful content and online exploitation.
“The internet creates valuable opportunities for children to learn, express creativity and communicate,” the minister said.
“However, it also exposes them to risks such as cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation, misuse of personal data and emerging threats linked to artificial intelligence tools.”
According to him, the government is exploring policy options that could strengthen online protection for minors in Nigeria.
“As Nigeria evaluates possible policy measures for protecting children online, including age restrictions, stronger age verification systems, platform accountability and improved regulatory oversight, it is important to receive public input,” Tijani said.
He explained that feedback from Nigerians would help ensure that any framework adopted reflects national priorities and safeguards children’s rights while addressing the realities of the country’s digital environment.
The minister urged parents, educators, young people, technology professionals and other stakeholders to take part in the consultation through an online survey shared by the ministry.
The initiative aligns with a growing global push to regulate children’s access to social media. Some countries, including Australia, have introduced strict rules restricting social media use for users under the age of 16.
The Federal Government said the consultation is intended to guide the development of evidence-based policies that will create safer digital spaces for children across the country.
