Nigeria’s Government Begins Consultations To Introduce Social Media Age Restrictions, Seeks Public Input To Protect Children While Preserving Online Benefits

Nigeria’s Government Begins Consultations to Introduce Social Media Age Restrictions, Seeks Public Input to Protect Children While Preserving Online Benefits The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a nationwide public consultation on proposed social media age restrictions as part of efforts to enhance the safety of children on digital platforms, while still preserving the educational and social benefits of Internet use.

The initiative spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy invites parents, educators, young people, digital experts and other stakeholders to offer input on how best to regulate access to social media and other online services for minors According to the ministry, the consultation forms part of a broader strategic effort to develop a balanced, evidence‑based policy framework that protects children from online threats such as cyberbullying, harmful content, online grooming, misuse of personal data, addictive platform features, and emerging challenges linked to artificial intelligence tools, while maintaining the benefits of connectivity for learning and communication. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasised that public participation is essential to ensure that any regulatory approach reflects national priorities, upholds children’s rights, and responds effectively to Nigeria’s unique digital landscape. He noted that the Internet offers significant opportunities for creativity, communication and education, but continues to expose young users to a wide range of risks.

Dr. Tijani urged Nigerians to take part in the ongoing survey and share views on potential regulatory options including age restrictions, improved age‑verification mechanisms, enhanced platform accountability, and stronger regulatory oversight before formal policy proposals are finalised and adopted.

The consultation survey is available to the public online and will inform the government’s evaluation of possible policy measures intended to strike a balance between digital inclusion and child protection. The move aligns with global conversations on child safety in digital spaces, where several countries have adopted or are exploring age‑related restrictions and safeguards on social media use to mitigate harm to minors without unduly restricting access to information and digital opportunities.