Nigeria Considers Age Restrictions for Social Media Use to Protect Children Online

The Federal Government of Nigeria has begun consultations on plans to introduce age limits for social media use as part of broader efforts to improve online safety for children.

The initiative is being spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, which has launched a public survey seeking input from parents, teachers, young people and digital experts on how best to regulate children’s access to social media platforms.

According to the ministry, the consultation is aimed at developing a balanced policy framework that will protect children from online dangers while still allowing them to benefit from the educational and social advantages of internet access.

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the government is working to ensure that minors are better protected as internet usage continues to grow across the country.

He noted that although the internet provides opportunities for learning, creativity and communication, 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 emphasized that public participation will play a critical role in shaping the proposed regulations. The government is considering measures including age restrictions for social media use, stronger age-verification systems, greater accountability for digital platforms and tighter regulatory oversight.

If implemented, the policy could see Nigeria join several countries that have already introduced strict limits on children’s access to social media.

In Australia, a ban on social media use for individuals under the age of 16 was implemented in December 2025, requiring platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to restrict access for younger users.

Similarly, Indonesia has announced plans to prohibit social media use for children under 16, while Denmark is preparing legislation that would ban social media platforms for children under the age of 15.

In France, lawmakers recently approved a bill preventing children under 15 from using social media, a measure backed by President Emmanuel Macron as part of efforts to reduce excessive screen time and strengthen child safety online.