Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has begun consultations on plans to introduce age restrictions for social media use in Nigeria. The initiative aims to strengthen online safety for children as part of broader digital protection efforts.
Okay News reports that the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy launched a public poll seeking input from parents, educators, young people, and digital experts. The consultation focuses on how best to regulate children’s access to social media and other digital platforms.
According to the ministry, the initiative aims to develop a balanced and evidence-based policy framework. This would protect children from online risks while preserving the educational and social benefits of internet access.
In a policy note accompanying the survey, the ministry acknowledged that while the internet provides valuable opportunities for learning, creativity, and communication, it also exposes children to significant risks. These include cyberbullying, harmful content, online grooming, misuse of personal data, addictive platform features, and emerging threats linked to artificial intelligence tools.
Supervising Minister Bosun Tijani stated via social media that the government is working to ensure children are better protected as internet adoption continues to expand. He emphasized that public participation is essential in shaping policies that balance digital access with adequate safeguards for minors.
Nigeria is set to join a growing list of countries implementing age restrictions for social media. Australia implemented a ban on social media for under-16s in December 2025, forcing platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to restrict access.
Indonesia has also announced a social media ban for children under 16. Denmark is set to ban social media platforms for children under 15, with support secured from governing coalition parties and opposition parties in parliament.
In late January 2026, French lawmakers passed a bill that would ban social media for children under 15. President Emmanuel Macron has supported the measure as a way to protect children from excessive screen time.
Nigeria has witnessed rapid growth in internet and social media usage over the past decade. This growth has been driven largely by increased smartphone adoption and expanding mobile broadband networks.
However, this expansion has raised concerns among policymakers and child protection advocates about exposure of minors to harmful online content and digital exploitation.
According to the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, more than 40 million Nigerians spend an average of six hours daily on social media. This makes it imperative for people to understand the importance of data privacy and the risks associated with sharing personal information on social media platforms.
