The executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, has explained how Nigerian parents can protect and safeguard their children and wards against exposure to harmful content on social media.
He urged parents and stakeholders to take greater responsibility in safeguarding young users.
Maida disclosed this recently during an interactive engagement with journalists in Abuja.
Responding to questions on harmful social media content exposure for children, Maida said while the platforms’ revolution remains in its early stages globally, their borderless nature makes regulation more complex.
According to him, the most critical line of defense begins with responsible usage, particularly by parents. He noted that he personally enforces strict digital controls for his children, limiting access to inappropriate content through device restrictions.
“Social media platforms are global platforms. Some ha localocal presence, others do not, but Nigerians actively engage with content on them. The first and most important thing is responsible use,” he said.
He added that most platforms already provide built-in mechanisms for users to report harmful material, including bullying and inappropriate content, stressing the need for increased public awareness of such tools.
The NCC boss disclosed that the commission has recently revised its Internet Code of Practice to strengthen regulatory oversight. He explained that the updated framework empowers the commission to direct service providers to take down content deemed harmful or inappropriate.
“We have put in place regulations that allow us to instruct service providers to remove such content. But beyond regulation, there is also a shared responsibility for users to promptly report harmful material,” Maida stated.
He further highlighted ongoing collaboration among key regulatory bodies, including the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), to curb the spread of harmful content and improve digital safety.
Maida reassured Nigerians that the commission and its partners are actively working to protect vulnerable groups, particularly children and individuals with limited digital literacy, from online risks.
“I may not say I am scared, but I am alert. And I want to assure Nigerians that all stakeholders are working together to ensure our children and other vulnerable users are protected from online harms,” he said.
