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Protecting the Nigerian child from the danger of online technologies
A 2020 report by the Nigerian Communications Commission stated

that 90% of children under 16 had been exposed to one or more cyber risks at
least once. A quarter of 11-16 year-olds reported feeling unsafe online.
Certainly, let's point out these potential risks:
Exposure to Inappropriate Content

Nigerian children, like others globally, can inadvertently encounter content that
is not age-appropriate, such as violence, explicit sexual material, or harmful
ideologies. The open nature of the internet means that such content is often only
a few clicks away, and without proper safeguards, children can be exposed to
material that is disturbing or that can influence them negatively.
Cyberbullying
This means bullying that takes place over digital devices like smartphones,
computers, and tablets. Nigerian children may face harassment, defamation, or
exclusion online, which can occur on social media, forums, or gaming platforms
where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying can lead
to psychological trauma, including depression, anxiety, and in extreme cases, it
can contribute to suicidal thoughts and actions which is very common amongst
youngsters nowadays.
Online Predators:
Children may also encounter adults online who seek to exploit them. These
predators can use the anonymity of the internet to hide their true identities and
intentions, often masquerading as peers to gain the trust of children. They might
engage in grooming behaviors, which can lead to inappropriate relationships,
exploitation, or even abduction. The risk is particularly acute in chat rooms,
social networks, and wherever children are known to congregate online.
The imperative to safeguard children in the digital landscape necessitates a

collaborative approach, wherein parents, educators, tech companies, and
policymakers must converge to establish robust protective measures, foster
digital literacy, and ensure a safe online environment that nurtures the potential
and well-being of every child.
The impact of online technology risks on Nigerian children's mental

and emotional well-being can be significant and multifaceted. Here are a
few potential impacts:
Mental Impact
Children exposed to online risks may experience increased stress, anxiety,
and in some cases, depression. The constant exposure to unrealistic
standards on social media, for example, can affect their self-esteem and
body image, leading to mental health issues.
Emotional Impact:
Cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content can lead to feelings of
fear, sadness, and loneliness. The emotional distress from these experiences
can affect children's ability to form healthy relationships and can lead to
emotional withdrawal or behavioral problems.
Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing effective strategies to

protect children and support their well-being in the digital age.
Educating children about safe online practices involves a

comprehensive approach that includes all the following:
1. Open Communication: Encourage open dialogue about internet use.

Discuss the different types of online risks and make sure children feel
comfortable reporting anything that makes them uneasy.
2. Critical Thinking: Teach children to question the information they find
online and to think critically about the sources of that information.
3. Privacy Education: Show children how to set strong passwords, to

understand privacy settings, and to be mindful of the personal information
they share online.
4. Digital Footprint Awareness: Explain the concept of a digital footprint

and how their online actions can have long-term consequences.
5. Cyberbullying Awareness: Teach children about the impact of

cyberbullying and what to do if they or someone they know is being bullied
online.
6. Role Modeling: Set a good example with your own online behavior.
Children learn a lot by watching the adults in their lives.
7. Use of Educational Tools: Utilize games and educational programs

designed to teach children about online safety in an engaging way.
8. Collaborate with Schools: Support school programs that educate on

internet safety. Schools can be a powerful ally in reinforcing safe online
practices.
9. Parental Controls and Monitoring: Use parental controls to help manage
your children's online activities, while also respecting their privacy and
fostering trust.
By employing these strategies, we can equip children with the knowledge

and skills they need to navigate the online world safely and responsibly
without any sort of worry.
Nigeria has also taken steps to improve child online safety through
various laws and regulations:
Child Rights Act (2003): This act encompasses the rights and protection of
children, including aspects related to electronic media. However, it doesn't
explicitly address online safety.
Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (2015): This act

criminalizes internet crimes and includes provisions that protect minors
against cyberbullying and exploitation.
Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (2019): Introduced by the National

Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), it includes
guidelines for the protection of personal data, which indirectly impacts
children's data online.
National Child Protection Policy (2021): Although not a law, this policy
provides a framework for protecting children in Nigeria, including their
digital lives.
While these laws and regulations provide a foundation for child online
safety, there is often a gap in enforcement and specific measures tailored to
the digital environment. Continuous efforts are needed to update and
enforce regulations that keep pace with the evolving online landscape to
ensure the safety of Nigerian children.
Advocating for stronger legislation and enforcement in areas of

child online safety where gaps are identified is crucial. Here's how we
Nigerians can come together with communities and push for change:
1. Raise Awareness: Increase public understanding of the existing gaps in
child online safety laws. This can be done through social media campaigns,
community workshops, and seminars.
2. Engage with Policymakers: Reach out to local and national legislators to

discuss the importance of updating and enforcing child online safety laws.
Provide them with research and data that highlight the need for change.
3. Support NGOs: Many non-governmental organizations work on child

safety and digital rights. Supporting their work can help amplify the call
for better laws and enforcement.
4. Education Programs: Advocate for the inclusion of digital literacy and

online safety in school curricula.
5. Community Involvement: Organize community forums and involve

parents, teachers, and children to provide a platform for sharing
experiences and discussing solutions.
6. Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between technology companies,

law enforcement, legal experts, and child welfare organizations to develop
comprehensive strategies for online safety.
Remember, change often starts at the grassroots level, so even small, local
actions can lead to significant improvements in legislation and
enforcement, to elaborate more we Nigerians also play a crucial role in the
legislation aspect of our country and all security aspect.
The development of child-friendly online content is an area that has
seen significant growth and attention. Here's how it's being worked on:
1. Educational Content: There's a surge in educational platforms offering

content tailored to children's learning stages, often in a fun, interactive way
that makes learning enjoyable.
2. Entertainment: Many creators are focusing on producing entertaining

content that is also age-appropriate, avoiding violence, explicit language,
and themes that are not suitable for young audiences.
3. 0Parental Controls: Platforms are increasingly incorporating parental

control features, allowing guardians to monitor and limit the content their
children can access.
4. Collaborations: 0 Partnerships between content creators, educators, and

child psychologists are leading to content that is not only engaging but also
beneficial for children's development.
5. Diverse and Inclusive Content: There's a growing recognition of the

importance of creating content that reflects a diverse range of cultures,
backgrounds, and abilities.
6. Safety and Privacy: Developers are also focusing on making content that
protects children's privacy and safety, minimizing data collection and
ensuring compliance with regulations like COPPA (Children's Online
Privacy Protection Act).
The goal is to create a digital environment that nurtures and educates while
safeguarding against inappropriate material and online risks.
A multifaceted approach to protecting Nigerian children online is
vital for several reasons:
1. Cultural Relevance: Content must be relevant to the Nigerian context,

respecting and reflecting local cultures and values.
2. Language Accessibility: Providing content in multiple languages spoken

in Nigeria, such as Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, in addition to English, ensures
broader accessibility.
3. Education on Digital Rights: Nigerian children need to be educated

about their digital rights and how to exercise them safely.
4.Robust Legal Frameworks: Nigeria requires strong legal frameworks to

protect children online, which should be part of a multifaceted strategy.
5. Community Involvement: Involving the community, including parents

and educators, ensures that protection measures are well-understood and
implemented.
6. Technology Solutions: Utilizing technology like filtering and monitoring

tools can help safeguard children from inappropriate content.
By addressing these areas, Nigeria can better protect its young netizens in
an increasingly digital world.

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Protecting the Nigerian child from the danger of online technologies

A 2020 report by the Nigerian Communications Commission stated

Exposure to Inappropriate Content

The imperative to safeguard children in the digital landscape necessitates a

The impact of online technology risks on Nigerian children's mental

Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing effective strategies to

Educating children about safe online practices involves a

1. Open Communication: Encourage open dialogue about internet use.

3. Privacy Education: Show children how to set strong passwords, to

4. Digital Footprint Awareness: Explain the concept of a digital footprint

5. Cyberbullying Awareness: Teach children about the impact of

7. Use of Educational Tools: Utilize games and educational programs

8. Collaborate with Schools: Support school programs that educate on

By employing these strategies, we can equip children with the knowledge

Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (2015): This act

Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (2019): Introduced by the National

Advocating for stronger legislation and enforcement in areas of

2. Engage with Policymakers: Reach out to local and national legislators to

3. Support NGOs: Many non-governmental organizations work on child

4. Education Programs: Advocate for the inclusion of digital literacy and

5. Community Involvement: Organize community forums and involve

6. Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between technology companies,

1. Educational Content: There's a surge in educational platforms offering

2. Entertainment: Many creators are focusing on producing entertaining

3. 0Parental Controls: Platforms are increasingly incorporating parental

4. Collaborations: 0 Partnerships between content creators, educators, and

5. Diverse and Inclusive Content: There's a growing recognition of the

1. Cultural Relevance: Content must be relevant to the Nigerian context,

2. Language Accessibility: Providing content in multiple languages spoken

3. Education on Digital Rights: Nigerian children need to be educated

4.Robust Legal Frameworks: Nigeria requires strong legal frameworks to

5. Community Involvement: Involving the community, including parents

6. Technology Solutions: Utilizing technology like filtering and monitoring

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