Lagos, June 4, 2026 – A nationwide survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy has found that more than four out of every five Nigerians support some level of regulation on children’s access to social media platforms.
The findings were presented by the Minister, Bosun Tijani, during a roundtable on child online protection held in Lagos on Thursday. The event was organised by the ministry in partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
According to the presentation by the Minister’s Senior Special Adviser, Kasim Sodangi, the 2024 survey titled “Proposed Social Media Age Regulation in Nigeria” captured responses from 585 participants across the country.
Sodangi explained that the consultation examined issues such as online risks, legal considerations, enforcement mechanisms, and possible policy directions for regulating children’s use of social media.
He noted that a large majority of respondents supported regulatory measures, with 83.4 per cent in favour of some form of age-based restriction. Of this figure, 64.8 per cent backed outright regulation, while 18.6 per cent supported regulation with adjustments to the proposed minimum age limit.
The survey also showed that 64.5 per cent of respondents believed the appropriate minimum age for social media use should be 16 or 17 years, higher than the commonly used global benchmark of 13 years.
Sodangi further disclosed that 98.6 per cent of respondents identified as Nigerians, indicating that the results largely reflect domestic perspectives on the issue.
He added that 93.5 per cent of participants expressed either high or extreme concern about the safety of children under 18 on social media platforms. Among them, 69.2 per cent reported extreme concern, while 24.3 per cent indicated high concern.
The report identified exposure to harmful or inappropriate content (90.9 per cent), digital addiction (83.6 per cent), and online grooming (82.4 per cent) as the leading risks facing children online in Nigeria.
It also revealed that 74.5 per cent of respondents believed that both children and parents lack sufficient awareness of cybercrime-related legal implications.
In addition, 97.6 per cent of participants supported a duty-of-care approach, calling for digital platforms to take proactive steps in preventing online harm.
Minister Bosun Tijani noted that the rapidly evolving digital environment requires continuous policy updates to address emerging online threats affecting children.
He stressed that while social media offers educational and innovative opportunities, stronger safeguards are necessary to protect minors from exploitation and harmful content.
Tijani added that enforcement of age restrictions could be strengthened through digital identity systems and existing platform verification tools, noting that loopholes should not be a justification for the absence of regulation.
He also emphasised the need for collaboration among government institutions, parents, and technology companies in ensuring child online safety.
Similarly, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, warned that children face increasing exposure to risks such as cyberbullying, cyberstalking, harmful content, and mental health challenges online.
He noted that while internet access remains important for learning and development, it must be balanced with adequate safeguards to protect young users.
Olatunji described child online protection as a collective responsibility involving government agencies, families, schools, communities, and digital platforms, adding that any regulatory changes should follow broad consultations and legislative processes.
Stakeholders at the roundtable also called for stronger digital literacy campaigns, improved age-verification systems, better parental supervision, and increased accountability from social media companies.