Child rights advocates have called on the National Assembly to urgently pass the Child Online Access Protection and Online Violence Against Nigerian Child Bill, describing it as a critical safeguard against the growing dangers children face in the digital space.
The call was made on Friday during a stakeholders’ roundtable in Abuja, where experts, educators, and child protection advocates highlighted the urgent need for stronger legal protections for children online.
According to a 2018 UNICEF report, a new child goes online every half-second globally, exposing millions to potential digital threats. In Nigeria, the concern is particularly alarming, with reports indicating that about 90 per cent of children encounter online risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, exploitation, and other forms of abuse.
The proposed legislation seeks to protect children from cyberbullying, cyber abuse, cyber extortion, online grooming, and other harmful digital activities.
To fund its implementation, the bill proposes a 0.02 per cent levy on the assessable profits of search engines, telecommunications service providers, artificial intelligence firms, gaming companies, streaming services, and social media platforms operating in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Country Director of Lawyers Without Borders, Ms. Angela Uzoma, said the bill would have a direct and positive impact on the lives of Nigerian children.
She noted that nearly 90 per cent of children in the country have access to digital devices either at home, in school, or through friends, making them increasingly vulnerable to online threats.
“Every Nigerian should be interested in this bill, whether you are a parent, guardian, relative, child, or concerned citizen,” she said
“Children are exposed to a wide range of online harms, including cyberbullying, grooming, sexual exploitation, and abuse. We have predators posing as children to target minors online. Cases of sextortion are also increasing, with children being manipulated into sharing intimate images with adults pretending to be their peers.
“Everyone must join their voices in calling on the Senate to pass this bill without delay.”
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the General Unit at the National Assembly, Ms. Christiana Eguma, said the legislation is designed to strengthen online safety for children in an increasingly digital world.
She observed that many children access the internet without adequate supervision, making them susceptible to abuse and exploitation.
According to her, the bill places responsibility on internet platforms to proactively detect and remove harmful content targeting children.
“It creates accountability for online platforms and compels them to act swiftly against harmful activities,” she said.
“The bill also promotes shared responsibility among parents, schools, technology companies, and children themselves in creating a safer online environment.
“It is aimed at protecting children not only from adults who seek to harm them online but also from peer-to-peer bullying. We are appealing to the National Assembly to pass this bill so Nigerian children can be better protected from online harm.”
An educator, Mr. Oluwasesan Ifegbesan, stressed that safeguarding children online requires collective action.
He urged parents, schools, and the wider public to remain vigilant and actively guide children on the responsible use of the internet and social media platforms.
“We must all work together to ensure that Nigerian children are protected from the dangers that exist in the digital world,” he said.
The advocates maintained that the passage of the bill would provide a robust legal framework to combat online violence against children and strengthen efforts to make the internet safer for young Nigerians.
