Child Rights Advocates Urge NASS To Fast-Track Bill On Online Abuse

Child rights advocates have urged the National Assembly to fast-track passage of a bill seeking to criminalise online abuse and strengthen protections for Nigerian children, warning that millions remain exposed to digital threats.

They made the call in Abuja during a stakeholders’ roundtable on the proposed Child Online Access Protection and Online Violence Against Nigerian Child Bill currently before lawmakers.

The proposed legislation aims to establish a legal framework to address cyberbullying, online abuse, extortion and other internet-related harms targeting minors. It also seeks to impose stricter obligations on digital platforms and service providers to enhance child safety measures.

The Advocates said the bill has become urgent amid growing internet access among children nationwide.

Citing data, participants referenced a 2018 UNICEF report indicating that a child goes online every half-second globally, increasing exposure to digital risks. In Nigeria, they said studies suggest about 90 percent of children encounter at least one form of online risk, including cyberbullying, exploitation and exposure to harmful content.

In her remarks, Country Director of Lawyers Without Borders in Nigeria, Angela Uzoma, said the proposed law would significantly improve the safety and well-being of children.

She warned that increased access to digital devices has widened children’s exposure to dangers such as grooming, sextortion and online sexual abuse, often perpetrated by individuals posing as minors.

Uzoma called on Nigerians to support the bill and urged the Senate to ensure its passage.

“Under the proposal, part of the funding for implementation would come from a 0.02 percent levy on the assessable profits of technology companies, including search engines, telecommunications firms, artificial intelligence companies, gaming platforms, streaming services and social media providers operating in Nigeria.

Also speaking, Coordinator of the General Unit in the National Assembly, Christiana Eguma, said the bill is designed to address emerging digital threats facing children.

Eguma noted that the legislation would hold online platforms accountable for harmful content and compel them to act promptly to remove such materials.

She added that the bill also promotes shared responsibility among parents, schools and children in ensuring online safety.

An educationist, Oluwasesan Ifegbesan, said legislative measures alone would not be sufficient without increased public awareness and parental involvement.

He urged parents, teachers and guardians to remain vigilant and guide children on responsible internet use.

The push for the bill comes amid growing global concern over the impact of digital technology on children, with several countries introducing stricter regulations on age verification and online content moderation.

Advocates at the Abuja forum said Nigeria must adopt similar measures, stressing that the proposed law would provide critical safeguards for children navigating the digital space.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji