The Nigerian Communications Commission has intensified calls for stronger digital safety measures to protect children from harmful online content as internet access continues to expand across the country.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Aminu Maida, warned that the increasing influence of global digital platforms has made online regulation more challenging for authorities.
Maida said safeguarding minors in the digital space requires a united effort involving parents, guardians, regulators, technology firms, and other stakeholders within the communications ecosystem.
According to him, the first layer of protection against harmful online exposure begins within the family, stressing that parents must closely supervise children’s internet activities and digital consumption habits.
He disclosed that he personally monitors the digital activities of his own children to ensure they are not exposed to unsafe or inappropriate online materials.
The NCC boss urged parents and guardians to become more deliberate in controlling the type of content accessible to minors, especially as mobile devices and social media platforms continue to dominate daily interactions among young people.
Maida also encouraged internet users to maximise safety features already integrated into many online platforms, including tools for reporting cyberbullying, harassment, abuse, and offensive content.
He noted that greater public awareness and consistent use of reporting mechanisms would strengthen efforts aimed at reducing the spread of harmful materials across digital platforms.
On regulatory reforms, Maida revealed that the commission has reviewed and updated its Internet Code of Practice to improve oversight of digital platforms, internet service providers, and other operators within the sector.
He explained that the revised framework empowers the commission to direct service providers to remove content considered harmful, offensive, or unsafe in line with existing regulatory guidelines.
The NCC chief further stressed that online safety cannot be achieved by regulators alone, urging Nigerians to actively report dangerous or inappropriate digital content to relevant authorities for prompt action.
He added that the commission is collaborating with agencies including the National Broadcasting Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, and the National Film and Video Censors Board to strengthen digital safety measures and protect vulnerable users from emerging online threats.