Government seeks to introduce social media age restrictions for Nigerians

Wednesday, March, 11 2026 - 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 led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, which has launched a public survey seeking opinions 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 aims to develop a balanced policy framework that protects 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 while the internet offers opportunities for learning, creativity and communication, it also exposes children to several risks including cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation, misuse of personal data and new threats linked to artificial intelligence tools.

Tijani emphasized that public participation will play a key role in shaping the proposed regulations, particularly as the government considers measures such as age restrictions, stronger age-verification systems, increased accountability for digital platforms and tighter regulatory oversight.

The move could see Nigeria join several countries already introducing strict limits on children’s access to social media.

In Australia, a ban on social media for users under 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 15.

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