The Federal Government has begun consultations on plans to introduce age restrictions for social media use in Nigeria as part of efforts to improve online safety for children.
The initiative is being led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, which has launched a public survey inviting parents, teachers, young people and digital experts to share their views on how children’s access to social media platforms should be regulated.
According to the ministry, the consultation aims to develop a balanced and evidence-based policy framework that protects children from online dangers while still allowing them to benefit from the educational and social advantages of internet access.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the government is working to ensure that minors are better protected as internet usage continues to expand across the country.
He explained that although the internet provides opportunities for learning, creativity and communication, it also exposes children to several risks such as cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation, misuse of personal data and threats linked to artificial intelligence tools.
The proposed policy may include measures such as minimum age limits for social media accounts, stronger age-verification systems, increased accountability for digital platforms and tighter regulatory oversight.
The government said public participation will play a key role in shaping the final regulations as Nigeria considers policy options that balance digital access with safeguards for young users.
If implemented, Nigeria would join a growing number of countries introducing stricter rules on children’s access to social media platforms as concerns over online safety continue to rise.
