The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has called on parents, guardians, and stakeholders to take a more active role in shielding children from harmful online content as digital platforms expand faster than regulation can keep pace.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida said protecting minors online requires a mix of responsible parenting, public awareness, and stronger regulatory collaboration.
Maida stressed that cross-border operations of digital platforms make monitoring and enforcement increasingly difficult for regulators.
“The first line of defence against harmful online exposure begins at home through careful supervision of children’s digital activities,” he said.
He urged parents and guardians to adopt deliberate measures to control what minors can access, adding that he personally enforces strict monitoring of his children’s device usage to block inappropriate material.
The NCC boss encouraged internet users to use built-in safety features on online platforms, including tools for reporting abuse, harassment, and offensive content.
He said increased public awareness and use of these reporting mechanisms would significantly help curb the spread of harmful material.
On the regulatory side, Maida disclosed that the commission has reviewed and updated its Internet Code of Practice to strengthen oversight of digital platforms and service providers. The revised framework allows the NCC to direct providers to remove content deemed harmful, unsafe, or offensive.
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Maida said online safety cannot rest on regulators alone and urged the public to report dangerous or inappropriate content to the relevant authorities.
The commission is working closely with the National Broadcasting Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, and National Film and Video Censors Board to tighten digital safety measures and reduce exposure to harmful content.
Reassuring Nigerians, Maida said regulators are intensifying efforts to protect vulnerable groups, especially children and those with limited digital literacy, from emerging online threats.
“The commission remains vigilant and committed to ensuring a safer digital environment for all users across the country,” he said.
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