The Federal Government of Nigeria has started discussions on plans to introduce age limits for social media use in a bid to make the internet safer for children.
The move is being driven by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, which has launched a public survey asking parents, teachers, young people and digital experts to share their opinions on how children’s access to social media should be regulated.
According to the ministry, the consultation is aimed at creating a balanced policy that protects children from online dangers while still allowing them to enjoy the benefits of the internet for learning, communication and creativity.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the government is concerned about the growing number of children using the internet and wants to ensure they are properly protected.
He explained that while the internet provides opportunities for education and innovation, it also exposes children to several risks such as cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation, misuse of personal data and emerging threats linked to artificial intelligence tools.
Tijani stressed that the government wants Nigerians to be part of the conversation before any final decision is made.
As part of the discussions, the government is considering measures such as setting age restrictions for social media use, introducing stronger age-verification systems, making digital platforms more accountable and strengthening regulatory oversight.
Officials say the feedback gathered from the public will help shape the final policy that will guide how young Nigerians access and use social media in the future.
If adopted, the policy could change how millions of Nigerian children sign up for and use social media platforms, marking one of the country’s biggest steps yet toward improving online safety for minors.
