The Federal Government of Nigeria has begun consultations on introducing age limits for social media use, aiming to enhance online safety for children.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, which has launched a public survey seeking input from parents, teachers, young people, and digital experts on the best ways to regulate children’s access to social media platforms.
According to the ministry, the consultations are intended to create a balanced policy framework that shields children from online risks while allowing them to benefit from the educational and social opportunities the internet provides.
Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said the government is committed to better protecting minors as internet use grows across the country.
He highlighted that while the internet offers learning, creativity, and communication opportunities, it also exposes children to risks such as cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation, misuse of personal data, and emerging threats linked to artificial intelligence tools.
Tijani stressed that public participation will be crucial in shaping the proposed regulations, particularly regarding potential measures like age restrictions, stronger age-verification systems, increased accountability for digital platforms, and tighter regulatory oversight.
If implemented, Nigeria would join several countries already enforcing strict limits on children’s social media use.
In Australia, a ban on social media for users under 16 took effect in December 2025, requiring platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to restrict access for younger users.
Indonesia has similarly announced plans to prohibit social media use for children under 16, while Denmark is preparing legislation to ban social media for children under 15.
In France, lawmakers recently approved a bill preventing children under 15 from using social media, a measure supported by Emmanuel Macron to reduce excessive screen time and improve child safety online.
