The findings also show strong support for regulation, with 83.4% backing restrictions on children’s access to social media.

The survey results were presented in Lagos during a roundtable on child online safety, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

With 585 Nigerians taking part in the consultation, the survey examined risks, enforcement options and possible legal frameworks.

Among the group of respondents, 64.8% want outright regulation, while 18.6% prefer regulation tied to a different minimum age threshold.

Only 16.6% opposed regulation, while 51% said education and digital literacy should be prioritised instead, and 40% pointed to parental supervision tools as a better precaution.

Age preference also split responses, with 36.8% saying 16 years should be the minimum age for access, closely aligning with Australia’s recent approach. Another 27.7% preferred 17 years. A smaller share, 13%, supported the global platform standard for 13 years.

Harmful content emerged as the most reported risk, cited by 90.9% of respondents. Digital addiction followed at 83.6%, while 82.4% pointed to online grooming as a major threat.

The survey also found that 74.5% believe children and parents do not fully understand the legal consequences of cyber offences. Almost all respondents, 97.6%, supported a duty-of-care approach requiring platforms to take proactive steps against harm.

Communications Minister Bosun Tijani said the consultation reveals the pace of change in the digital space and the need for policy to keep up.

He said, “The debate should focus on implementing age restrictions effectively rather than questioning the need for such safeguards.

“Nigeria can deploy digital identity infrastructure and existing platform verification systems to strengthen enforcement of age-based social media regulations.

“The fact that some people may bypass regulations is not a reason for safeguards not to exist.”

Tijani added that social media still offers opportunities for learning and innovation, but children must remain protected from exploitation, harmful content and other risks.

He also said enforcement would require cooperation across government, parents, schools and technology platforms.

NDPC National Commissioner, Dr Vincent Olatunji, also spoke about the risks facing children online. He pointed to cyberbullying, cyberstalking, exposure to harmful content and mental health pressures as key issues.

He also mentioned that access to the internet is highly important for education and development, but protection measures must sit alongside that access. Olatunji described child online safety as a shared responsibility across government agencies, families, schools and platform operators.

The discussion encapsulates a global shift in children’s access to social media. Several countries have already introduced, or are moving towards, better age-based management.

Australia introduced a ban on social media access for children under 16 in December 2025, requiring platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to restrict underage users. Indonesia has also announced plans for a similar restriction.

In Europe, Denmark is preparing to ban social media for children under 15. The Danish government secured backing from both coalition and opposition parties in November 2025. France passed a bill in January 2026 banning social media use for children under 15, with President Emmanuel Macron supporting the measure.

These developments show a policy trend where governments treat child online safety as a public concern that extends beyond regulation of content alone. In several cases, it now sits alongside debates on health, education and digital identity systems.

In Nigeria, the proposed direction indicates a combination of age restrictions and verification systems rather than a single enforcement model. Officials have pointed to digital identity infrastructure and platform-level verification tools as possible mechanisms.

The survey indicates strong public appetite for intervention, especially given the level of concern about exposure to harmful content, addiction and grooming risks. At the same time, a smaller but notable group continues to argue for education and parental oversight rather than formal restrictions.

The government says no final decision has been made, insisting that any policy will follow nationwide consultation before implementation.

With this innovation, HMD aims to solve a global mental health crisis that is being caused by excessive screen time, and to support online safety for minors.

The startup Human Mobile Devices (HMD), over a year into its bold rebrand, welcomed acclaimed entrepreneur, actress, and mother of two, Drew Barrymore, to the stage at MWC 2025 to share her passionate views on screen time.

Barrymore said that:

“Technology has taken advantage of the tired parent. It’s time to redefine how we live. Patience from the past meets future-forward technology. I started this for my children, but I also truly want it for myself, and for you.”

Barrymore, who also revealed an upcoming collaboration that is set to disrupt the status quo by tackling the ‘status scroll,’ hinted at the code name of this new initiative; ‘Project Wildflower’.

HMD debuts new family portfolio demonstrating better technology for families with the aim of solving a global mental health crisis that is being caused by excessive screen time, and to support online safety for minors. 

The first device to launch under the new family umbrella, HMD Fusion X1, has been announced following new research unveiled today from HMD which surveyed 25,000 children and adults from around the world1 – the findings reveal more than half of children have been contacted by strangers online.

According to Jean-Francois Baril, Chief Executive Officer/ Chairman of Human Mobile Devices, “The HMD Fusion X1, in partnership with Xplora is set to lay the foundation for teen’s healthy digital habits with parental controls and no social media and or internet unless enabled by the teen’s guardian.”

MWC 2025 also sees the first HMD x FC Barcelona devices launched: HMD Barça 3210, and HMD Barça Fusion, with fan-focused highlights and surprises throughout each experience including a note from Lewandowski and other Barca players. 

Not forgetting its feature phone heritage, HMD also announces HMD 130 and HMD 150 Music, two speaker-centric phones packed with booming sound, FM radios, durable designs and superb battery life, and HMD 2660 Flip, combining chic flip phone styling with digital detox simplicity.

From phones to audio; HMD Amped Buds are the first wireless earbuds with a charging case that can magnetically power up your phone, so you’re never caught out without music or power.

The CEO/ Chairman, HMD said:

“Our first year creating devices under the Human Mobile Devices brand has been full of highlights, with world-class phones launched, investment in socially responsible initiatives both at home in Europe and abroad, and double-digit volume growth of our feature phones, plus 2024 is our highest ever operating profit. 

Speaking further, he noted: ”We have made great strides with M-KOPA, a leading African Fintech platform providing affordable finance, unlocking smart experiences and putting HMD devices in 2.5 million customers’ hands, made possible by our leading financing and security services.”

“Our Better Phone project also worked with teens, parents and experts to understand how to introduce smart devices to families, and we’re excited to launch our first device built on its foundations, the HMD Fusion X1.”

 He added that, “At the same time, security is non-negotiable. We’ve been listening closely to our enterprise customers, and in 2025, we’re taking our security commitment to the next level. This year, we’re introducing an ultra-secure solution in collaboration with our most trusted partners, ensuring customers benefit from the highest standards of protection.

“With this renewed focus on human experiences, a new focus on the family segment and a continued focus on security and financing, HMD looks forward to meaningful growth in 2025 and a better technology experience for all”, he added.

Speaking on the importance of the new technology, the Chief Commercial Officer of HMD, Lars Silberbauer, said, “Smartphones are not just tech—they shape childhoods, family dynamics, and society itself. Few companies are building solutions with children and parents in mind. We are working with parents to do exactly that.  The Better Phone Project is proof that change is possible when families—not corporations—lead the conversation.

“This is about giving parents real choices. The HMD Fusion X1 with Xplora and technology planned with SafeToNet are just the start. Together, we’re pushing for a future where kids are empowered to use technology in a safer way, and parents have the tools for added protection and peace of mind,” he revealed.

The Founder/CEO of Xplora Technologies AS, Sten Kirkba added: “At Xplora, our mission is to onboard kids safely into the digital world. As the market leader in kids’ smartwatches, we’ve long worked to extend our trusted parental controls to smartphones.”

On partnership with HMD, he said,

“Partnering with HMD is the perfect match, ensuring teens get enhanced safety from their first smartphone experience. With growing concerns about early exposure to social media and inappropriate content, we believe it’s crucial to provide secure solutions that put teen’s wellbeing and safety first.”

The new family arm of the business comes off the back of HMD’s Better Phone Project in 2024 which saw HMD work together with families and experts to co-create a suite of devices better suited for children.

In doing so, the Finnish manufacturers identified three key touchpoints for a child’s mobile journey: 8-12-year-olds: First Safe Connection: Building healthy digital habits early, 13-16-year-olds: Beginning smart journey: Gradually introducing features in a way that isn’t overwhelming, 16+: Adulthood Readiness: Preparing kids for open-ended tech use with years of thoughtful guidance, and with insights from real families and experts, HMD is developing solutions for each step.

Global research of almost 25,000 children and adults from around the world backs this movement as the HMD Better Phone Project Report reveals that over half of kids aged 8-12 years old (52%) think they’re suffering from phone addiction in 20251.

The findings also cement the fact that when you give your child a phone, it brings strangers into your home – as four in ten kids report being asked to move to a private chat by strangers from the comfort of their phone.