The acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Kayode Oladele, has thrown his considerable weight behind the proposal by respected human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, to regulate and potentially restrict how minors in Nigeria access social media platforms.
Oladele called the initiative both timely and responsible, arguing that such measures are squarely in the best interest of the nation’s future. He specifically pointed to the Australian model as a compelling and useful framework for Nigeria to consider adopting.
Expressing deep concern over the escalating exposure of children to harmful and unregulated online content, the FCC boss acknowledged the benefits of social media but noted that it has regrettably become a primary source of moral decline, cyberbullying, online exploitation, and severe mental health challenges among young people.
“Australia has demonstrated that it is possible to strike a balance between digital innovation and the fundamental duty of child protection,” Oladele stated. “Their approach proves that safeguarding minors from harmful online exposure is not an attack on free speech, but rather a responsible act of governance. Nigeria must not hesitate to take similarly bold steps.”
The key to implementing such restrictions, he emphasized, lies in thoughtful execution. Any new framework must include clear age limits, strong parental involvement, mandatory platform accountability, and effective enforcement mechanisms. He clarified that the ultimate objective is purely child protection, not any form of censorship.
Oladele urged the Federal Government to immediately initiate a wide-ranging national dialogue. This conversation, he stressed, must bring together all critical stakeholders, including parents, educators, child development experts, civil society organizations, lawmakers, and technology companies. The goal of this dialogue would be to develop a child-centered social media regulatory framework that is uniquely suited to Nigeria’s distinct social and cultural realities.
The FCC chairman concluded with a powerful appeal: “Our children are the custodians of tomorrow’s Nigeria. Allowing them to be exposed to unfiltered digital dangers under the guise of freedom is a risk we cannot continue to take. The Australian example shows that firm, thoughtful regulation is both possible and necessary.” His endorsement aligns perfectly with the rising anxieties among policymakers and child welfare advocates across the country regarding the negative impact of unmoderated social media on minors.
