The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced consultations on plans to introduce age restriction for social media use as part of broader efforts to improve online safety for children.
The initiative according to sources is being spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, which has launched a public survey seeking opinions from parents, teachers, young people and digital experts on how best to regulate children’s access to social media platforms.
The ministry claims that the consultation’s goal is to create a fair policy framework that shields kids from online threats while yet enabling them to take advantage of the social and educational benefits of internet access.
Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, stated that as the nation’s internet usage continues to rise, the government is attempting to guarantee that children are better protected.
He pointed out that although the internet gives kids the chance to study, be creative, and communicate, it also exposes them to a number of problems, such as cyberbullying, dangerous content, online exploitation, misuse of personal information, and new dangers associated with artificial intelligence capabilities.
Tijani underlined that public involvement will be crucial in forming the new rules, especially as the government takes into account measures like age limitations, more robust age-verification procedures, greater accountability for digital platforms, and stricter regulatory monitoring.
In December 2025, social media sites like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok were forced to restrict access for younger users in Australia due to a restriction on users under the age of sixteen.
Similarly, Denmark is drafting laws that would forbid children under the age of 15 from using social media, while Indonesia has declared plans to outlaw the use of social media by children under the age of sixteen.
In France, lawmakers recently approved a bill that would prevent children under 15 from using social media, a measure supported by President Emmanuel Macron as part of efforts to reduce excessive screen time and improve child safety online.
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