Stakeholders have urged proactive measures to safeguard children from online risks, citing evidence that nearly nine in 10 Nigerian children are exposed to cyber threats without adequate legal protection or reporting mechanisms.
The call came on Monday at the National Forum on Online Safety for Children, organized by Gatefield, a media and public health strategy group.
Rep. Olumide Osoba, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Justice, said the internet has increasingly become a gateway to cyberbullying, grooming, identity theft, and the dissemination of harmful content, all of which threaten children’s safety and mental well-being.
Osoba, sponsor of the Child Online Access Protection Bill (HB 244), described the forum as timely. The bill aims to establish stricter safeguards for minors on digital platforms.
“We must create a digital ecosystem that empowers rather than endangers,” Osoba said. “The proposed legislation mandates internet service providers to restrict access to violent or exploitative content, penalize cyberbullying and grooming, and promote digital literacy for parents, teachers, and young people.”
He noted that the bill had progressed through the first and second readings in the House of Representatives but was temporarily paused to align proposed penalties and levies with newly passed tax legislation. He assured stakeholders that the bill would be accelerated once legislative processes resumed.
“Protecting children online is a shared moral and social responsibility. For every child we fail to protect, a digital predator succeeds,” Osoba added.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), emphasized that accountability must be central to Nigeria’s digital child protection efforts. Represented by the NHRC Director of Women and Children, Mrs. Ngozi Okore, he called on government agencies, technology platforms, and telecommunication providers to implement clear reporting and response mechanisms for online violations.
“We cannot simply raise alarms without enforcing responsibility. The safety of our children online must be upheld and delivered. Rights mean nothing if accountability is absent,” Okore said.
Ojukwu further urged telecommunication operators to enhance user reporting systems and support national efforts to monitor and respond to online exploitation cases. He reaffirmed the commitment of regulators to collaborate with lawmakers and civil society to strengthen national policies on digital child protection.
At the forum, Gatefield’s Advocacy Lead, Ms. Shirley Ewang, presented the 2024 State of Online Harms Report, revealing that 90 percent of Nigerian children aged 10 to 17 had experienced or been exposed to at least one form of online harm.
Ewang highlighted that many parents remain unaware of online risks or lack the knowledge to use safety controls and reporting tools. The study also noted rising incidences of image-based abuse, financial scams targeting minors, and persistent exposure to pornography and violent content.
“Our data show that online harms are occurring faster than the systems designed to protect children,” Ewang said. “Cyberbullying, image-based abuse, exposure to pornography, and financial scams are among the top threats affecting minors. Our digital spaces should be catalysts for education and civic participation, not breeding grounds for harm. The future of Nigeria’s youth must not be traded for profit or convenience.”
She added that Gatefield, through the National Online Safety Coalition, is working with policymakers and technology platforms to enhance reporting systems, implement safer product designs, and expand digital literacy programs for young people, educators, and parents.
Also addressing the forum, Senior Programmes Officer at Paradigm Initiative, Ms. Khadijah El-Usman, stressed the importance of coordinated action among government, civil society, and technology companies. She advocated for expanded access to trusted, child-friendly reporting channels and school-based safety training to help young users navigate the internet safely.
“This is not just a safety issue. It is a rights issue. Every child deserves to experience the internet without fear, manipulation, or exploitation,” El-Usman said.
It was reported that the forum was convened by Gatefield, Paradigm Initiative, and the National Online Safety Coalition as part of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to build a safer, more inclusive digital environment. Stakeholders agreed that urgent action is needed to close legislative and enforcement gaps and ensure that children can benefit from digital opportunities without being exposed to preventable harm.
