Jun 5, 2026

SHOCKING! 83% of Nigerians Demand Kids Be BANNED From Social Media Until Age 17 – Government Finally Listens

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Lagos, Nigeria – The Federal Government is poised to introduce stricter regulations limiting children’s access to social media platforms, responding to widespread public alarm over digital risks and the urgent need to safeguard young users in an increasingly connected world.

A comprehensive nationwide survey commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has revealed robust support among Nigerians for measures to regulate or restrict minors’ social media use. The results were presented on Thursday at a high-level roundtable on child online protection held in Lagos, hosted by the ministry in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

The survey captured insights from 585 respondents, predominantly Nigerians, offering a clear snapshot of local sentiments on children’s digital safety, legal frameworks, and enforcement strategies. According to the findings, an overwhelming 83.4% of participants endorsed some form of regulatory intervention. This included 64.8% who favoured direct government regulation and 18.6% who supported restrictions but advocated for adjusted age thresholds.

There is also significant momentum for increasing the minimum age for social media access. Roughly 64.5% of respondents called for setting the limit at 16 or 17 years — notably higher than the widely used international standard of 13 years. This reflects growing recognition that younger adolescents may lack the maturity to navigate complex online environments safely.

Public anxiety about children’s digital exposure runs deep. More than 93% of those surveyed expressed serious concerns, with 69.2% describing their worries as “extreme” and another 24.3% rating them as “highly concerned.”

Exposure to harmful or inappropriate content topped the list of perceived threats, cited by over 90% of respondents. Other prominent risks highlighted included digital addiction, online grooming, cyberbullying, exploitation, and broader forms of predatory behaviour targeting minors.

The poll additionally uncovered a notable awareness gap: nearly three-quarters of participants believe that many children and their parents remain insufficiently informed about existing cybercrime laws and the potential legal repercussions of online misconduct.

Support for holding technology companies accountable was near-universal, with 97.6% of respondents agreeing that platforms must take stronger proactive measures to prevent harm and better protect younger users.

Speaking at the roundtable, Senior Special Adviser to the Minister, Kasim Sodangi, detailed the survey’s methodology and outcomes, underscoring its relevance to ongoing policy discussions.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, emphasised the dual nature of digital technologies. While acknowledging the immense benefits of social media for education, creativity, and innovation, he stressed the non-negotiable need to shield children from exploitation and harmful content.

“The debate should focus on implementing age restrictions effectively rather than questioning the need for such safeguards,” Tijani said.

He pointed to Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure and existing platform verification tools as practical mechanisms for enforcing age-appropriate rules, adding that potential circumvention by some users is not a valid reason to abandon protections altogether.

Tijani further called for a collaborative approach, noting that responsibility extends beyond government to include parents, educators, tech companies, and civil society organisations.

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the NDPC, echoed these sentiments, highlighting specific dangers such as cyberbullying, cyberstalking, exposure to damaging content, and associated mental health impacts on children.

He affirmed that while internet access is vital for learning and development, robust safeguards are essential to mitigate risks.

The strong public consensus emerging from the survey provides the government with a clear mandate to advance regulatory frameworks.

Potential measures could include stricter age verification, enhanced parental controls, platform accountability standards, and public awareness campaigns to bridge knowledge gaps around digital safety and legal obligations.

This development aligns with global conversations on children’s online rights but is distinctly shaped by Nigeria’s local context — where rapid digital adoption has outpaced protective infrastructure in many households.

As policymakers move forward, key considerations will include ensuring regulations are enforceable, proportionate, and supportive of digital literacy initiatives that empower rather than merely restrict young users.

The roundtable signals a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s digital governance journey, prioritising the well-being of the next generation while harnessing the transformative power of technology.

Further stakeholder engagements and detailed implementation plans are expected in the coming months.