Nigeria launches consultation on banning children from social media

Nigeria is the latest country to consider restricting children’s access to social media, after the government launched a public consultation on whether new rules should be introduced.

The consultation invites Nigerians – including parents, educators, young people and digital professionals – to share their views on how children’s access to social media platforms should be regulated.

According to the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, the goal is to create a framework that balances the benefits of internet access with the need to protect children from online harm.

“While the Internet provides opportunities for learning, creativity, and communication, it also exposes young users to risks such as cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation, and misuse of personal data,” he said in a statement.

The consultation, which began on 10 March, explores several possible approaches, including introducing minimum age requirements for social media accounts, implementing stronger age-verification systems, increasing platform accountability, and expanding government oversight of digital platforms.

The move places Nigeria among a growing number of governments considering limits on children’s social media access.

Australia was the first country to require social media platforms to block users under 16 from opening accounts last year, a policy now being closely watched by governments worldwide. The UK has also launched a consultation on similar restrictions. Earlier this month, Indonesia confirmed plans to restrict children under 16 from accessing certain “high-risk” digital platforms.

Even so, some Nigerian commentators have warned that restrictions could be difficult to enforce and may risk limiting opportunities for young creators.

Speaking on Nigerian television, entrepreneur and youth development advocate Olasupo Abideen said policymakers should adopt a tailored Nigeria-specific approach, rather than copying restrictions introduced elsewhere.

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