The Federal Government has opened consultations on possible age restrictions for social media use in Nigeria, seeking public views on how to better protect children online.
Officials say the process will guide a policy that balances children’s safety with the benefits of internet access.
To begin the process, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has launched a public poll.
Parents, teachers, young people and digital experts are invited to share their views on how Nigeria should regulate children’s access to social media and other online platforms.
The ministry says the aim is to build an evidence-based policy that protects children while allowing them to benefit from digital tools used for learning, communication and creativity.
However, officials say the same internet also exposes young users to serious risks including cyberbullying, harmful content, online grooming, misuse of personal data and addictive platform features. Authorities also warned about new threats linked to artificial intelligence tools.
In a policy note released with the survey, the ministry stressed the need for a balanced approach.
“As Nigeria evaluates possible policy options, it is important that any approach reflects national priorities, respects children’s rights, and responds effectively to the realities of the country’s digital landscape,” the ministry stated.
The supervising minister, Bosun Tijani, also spoke about the initiative on social media, saying the government wants to ensure children remain protected as internet use continues to grow.
“While the internet offers significant opportunities for learning, creativity, and communication, it also exposes children to risks such as cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation, misuse of personal data, and emerging challenges linked to artificial intelligence tools,” Tijani said.
He added that public participation will determine whatever policy the government adopts.
“As Nigeria evaluates potential policy approaches for protection of children online, including age restrictions, improved age verification systems, platform accountability measures, and enhanced regulatory oversight, public input is essential to ensure that any framework adopted reflects national priorities and respects children’s rights,” he said.
If introduced, Nigeria would join several countries that have already placed age restrictions on children’s access to social media.
Australia introduced one of the toughest regulations in December 2025. The law bans social media use for people under 16 and requires platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to enforce the restriction.
Lawmakers in France also passed legislation in January 2026 to ban social media for children under 15. President Emmanuel Macron backed the bill, arguing it would help curb excessive screen time among young users.
Denmark has announced a similar plan. Its government secured political backing in late 2025 for a ban covering children under 15.
Authorities in Indonesia have also confirmed a ban on social media use for those under 16, pointing to child safety concerns.
Across the world, governments are working to ensure better management. Recent global tracking shows more than 40 countries are studying or introducing some form of age restriction for social media.
Smartphone use has expanded in the past decade, pushing internet access into homes, schools and workplaces across the country. Social media has followed the same path.
According to the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Vincent Olatunji, more than 40 million Nigerians now spend about six hours each day on social media platforms.
He said this level of activity makes it important for users to understand the risks tied to sharing personal information online.
Child protection groups and policymakers have repeatedly warned that minors are especially vulnerable. Concerns range from online exploitation to exposure to harmful content and weak data protection.
Through the new consultation, the government hopes to gather enough public input before deciding whether Nigeria should introduce age limits, stronger verification systems or tighter rules for digital platforms operating in the country.
