Growing internet use among young Nigerians puts safety in focus
Regulators warn that rising internet use among young Nigerians is increasing exposure to cyberbullying, harmful content and online threats.
Nigeria’s digital expansion is bringing more children online than ever before, but regulators and education stakeholders say the country must move faster to protect young users from the darker side of the internet use.
What started during the COVID-19 pandemic as a temporary switch to online learning has now become part of everyday life. Children now use smartphones, tablets and internet-connected devices not only for schoolwork, but also for games, videos and social interaction.
Platforms such as Zoom, Google Classroom and YouTube have become regular features in many households. Yet as access grows, so do concerns over cyberbullying, online predators, scams, harmful content and excessive screen time.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has continued to update efforts aimed at helping families navigate those risks of internet use.
The Commission first introduced child online protection guidelines in 2020 and has since reviewed them to reflect Nigeria’s evolving digital habits and the post-pandemic reality of increased internet use among children.
According to the NCC, the goal is to equip parents, caregivers and schools with practical tools for keeping children safer online.
“This handbook will provide practical online safety tips for parents, caregivers and children,” the Commission said, noting that it covers steps to take before children go online, while they are connected, and when problems arise.
The NCC maintained that the internet remains a powerful educational and social tool, but one that requires active supervision when children are involved.
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Experts say internet use risks for children generally fall into four areas: harmful content, unsafe contact with strangers, risky behaviour such as cyberbullying or compulsive use, and commercial exploitation through ads, data collection or deceptive transactions.
To reduce exposure, the Commission advised parents to understand the apps their children use, enable parental controls, use child-friendly settings and set boundaries around screen time.
It also stressed that technology alone cannot solve the problem.
Parents were encouraged to maintain open conversations with children about internet use behaviours, privacy and who they communicate with on digital platforms. Children should also feel comfortable reporting anything disturbing or suspicious to trusted adults.
Families were further urged to pay attention to sudden emotional or behavioural changes that may signal troubling online experiences.
With digital learning now more established, schools and teachers are also expected to play a greater role in teaching responsible internet habits alongside academic lessons.
Nigeria’s response has also expanded beyond the home. The NCC said it has worked with agencies including the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and telecom operators to improve child online protection efforts.
That collaboration contributed to the draft National Child Online Protection Policy and Strategy, designed to strengthen Nigeria’s long-term response to digital risks affecting minors.
Educational materials have also been translated into Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and Pidgin to improve awareness across different communities.
Speaking at a recent media parley in Abuja, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said regulating global social media platforms remains difficult because many are not physically based in Nigeria.
“Social media platforms are global in nature and not necessarily operated within Nigeria,” he said.
He added that public responsibility remains essential.
“The first and most important thing is responsible use of these platforms,” Maida said, urging parents to take deliberate steps in guiding children’s online activities.
He also encouraged users to make use of reporting tools already available on many platforms to flag harmful material.
Despite ongoing efforts, stakeholders say awareness remains uneven, especially in rural areas where many parents may lack the digital knowledge needed to effectively monitor online activity.
As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to grow, more children are expected to come online. For policymakers and families alike, the challenge is no longer whether children should use the internet, but how to make sure they can do so safely.
