The Federal Government has commenced consultations with stakeholders on the possibility of introducing an age limit for children’s access to social media platforms in Nigeria.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening online safety measures and protecting children from potential risks associated with the increasing use of digital platforms.
The consultation, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, seeks the views of parents, educators, child-rights advocates, technology experts and young people on how best to regulate minors’ use of social media in the country.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the consultation process would enable the government to develop policies that balance children’s digital participation with the need to ensure their safety online.
Tijani explained that the rapid growth of internet access and smartphone use among young people had made it necessary for government to review existing safeguards to protect minors in the digital space.
According to him, while social media platforms provide opportunities for education, creativity and communication, they also expose young users to risks such as cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation and privacy violations.
“The objective of the consultation is to gather broad perspectives that will help the government determine whether Nigeria should introduce a minimum age requirement for social media use or adopt other protective measures,” the minister said.
He added that the government was committed to ensuring that policies developed from the consultation would protect children without limiting their access to the benefits of the digital economy.
The minister encouraged Nigerians to participate actively in the consultation process through surveys and stakeholder engagements organised by the ministry.
He noted that contributions from the public would guide the formulation of a policy framework that reflects national realities and promotes responsible digital use among children.
Experts have long expressed concern about the impact of excessive social media exposure on minors, particularly issues relating to cyberbullying, misinformation, online harassment and digital addiction.
Child-rights advocates have also called for stronger regulatory measures and improved parental awareness to safeguard children in the evolving digital environment.
The development comes as several countries across the world consider or implement age restrictions and stricter regulations on social media platforms as part of broader child online protection policies.
Industry observers say Nigeria’s consultation could lead to new guidelines on age verification, parental control mechanisms and greater accountability for digital platforms operating in the country.
The Federal Government said the consultation would provide the basis for a comprehensive policy aimed at ensuring that Nigerian children can safely benefit from opportunities offered by the internet while minimising potential risks.
