Nigeria Considers Age Restrictions on Social Media

The Nigerian government has launched consultations on introducing age restrictions for social media use, aiming to enhance online safety for minors.

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is leading the initiative and has opened a public survey to gather input from parents, educators, young people, and digital experts. The feedback will inform policies that balance child protection with the educational and social benefits of internet access.

Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, highlighted the increasing need to safeguard minors as internet use expands nationwide. He noted that while online platforms provide opportunities for learning and creativity, they also expose children to risks such as cyberbullying, harmful content, exploitation, misuse of personal data, and emerging threats linked to artificial intelligence.

Tijani stressed that public engagement is central to shaping the regulations, which may include age limits, enhanced age-verification systems, greater platform accountability, and stricter oversight.

If implemented, Nigeria would join a growing list of countries setting age-based social media limits. Australia has barred users under 16 from platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Indonesia plans a similar ban, while Denmark is considering restrictions for children under 15. France recently passed legislation preventing children under 15 from accessing social media, supported by President Emmanuel Macron to curb screen time and boost online safety.

The consultation is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to protect young internet users while ensuring they can benefit from the digital world.