FG Seeks Nigerians’ Views on Social Media Age Limits for Children

The Nigerian government has called on citizens to share their views on possible age limits and other measures to protect children on social media platforms.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the initiative on Tuesday.

He called on parents, educators, young people and digital professionals to participate in a public survey aimed at shaping future online safety policies.

According to the minister, while the internet provides important opportunities for learning, creativity and communication, it also exposes children to several risks, including cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation and the misuse of personal data.

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Emerging challenges linked to artificial intelligence tools also present new concerns for child safety in digital spaces.

The consultation comes as the Federal Government evaluates possible policy options to strengthen protections for children online.

These include introducing age restrictions for social media use, improving age-verification systems, increasing accountability for digital platforms and expanding regulatory oversight.

Tijani said public feedback is necessary to ensure that any policy framework adopted reflects Nigeria’s national priorities, respects children’s rights and responds to the realities of the country’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

“We encourage parents, educators, young people, digital professionals and all stakeholders to share their perspectives on this critical issue by completing the survey here- b.link/ChildOnlineSaf… ,” the minister said.

He added that contributions from the public will help the government develop evidence-based policies aimed at creating a safer digital environment for children in Nigeria.