FG seeks views on social media age limits for children

The Federal Government of Nigeria officially launched a public consultation on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, to gather views on establishing age limits and other protective measures for children on social media.

The initiative was announced by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who emphasized the need to balance the digital opportunities for learning with the growing risks of the online world.

Key Focus Areas of the Consultation
The government is looking for public input on several specific policy approaches:

Age Restrictions: Determining a mandatory minimum age for accessing social media platforms.

Age Verification Systems: Evaluating the technology needed to effectively prove a user's age without compromising privacy.

Platform Accountability: Holding tech companies responsible for the safety of minors on their apps.

Addictive Features: Looking into whether features like "infinite scrolling" or "autoplay" should be restricted for younger users.

AI Exposure: Assessing the risks children face when interacting with emerging Artificial Intelligence tools and chatbots.

Why Now?
The move is part of a broader global trend. Countries like Australia have already moved toward banning social media for children under 16, and the UK is currently undergoing a similar consultation process.

Dr. Tijani noted that while the internet is a "ladder of opportunity" for Nigeria’s youth, the lack of a formal framework leaves children vulnerable to:

Cyberbullying and online exploitation.

Exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate content.

Misuse of sensitive personal data.

How to Participate
The Minister has invited parents, educators, digital professionals, and young people themselves to participate in an online survey to ensure the final policy reflects "national priorities and the realities of Nigeria's digital landscape."