Federal Government Set To Introduce Social Media Age Limits

The Federal Government has initiated consultations regarding proposed age restrictions on social media, as part of a wider push to strengthen digital safety for young users.

The effort is being spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, which has rolled out a public survey to gather input from parents, educators, young people, and technology experts on the most effective ways to govern children’s use of social media platforms.

The ministry states that the consultation is intended to shape a well-rounded policy framework — one that shields children from the dangers of the internet while still enabling them to access its educational and social benefits.

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, indicated that the government is taking steps to ensure stronger protections for minors as internet penetration continues to rise throughout the country.

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He acknowledged that while the internet presents valuable opportunities for learning, self-expression, and connection, it also puts children at risk of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, online predation, data misuse, and emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence.

Tijani stressed that the input of the general public will be instrumental in defining the eventual regulations, especially as authorities weigh options such as age-based access controls, more robust age-verification mechanisms, greater responsibility for online platforms, and enhanced regulatory enforcement.

This development could place Nigeria among a growing number of nations that have moved to impose firm restrictions on minors’ use of social media.

Australia enacted a ban on social media access for users under the age of 16 in December 2025, compelling platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to block younger audiences.

Indonesia has similarly announced its intention to bar children under 16 from using social media, while Denmark is in the process of drafting legislation that would prohibit social media access for those under 15.

In France, legislators recently passed a bill that would block children under 15 from accessing social media platforms — a move backed by President Emmanuel Macron as part of a broader effort to curb excessive screen use and bolster the online safety of minors.