Expressing concern on growing harmful online contents, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has advised parents, guardians, and other stakeholders to strive to protect their children from the menace associated with telecommunications.
The commission emphasisef that digital platforms has made internet regulation more complex and worrisome, especially where children are concerned.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, recently, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr.Aminu Maida, stated that safeguarding minors in the digital space requires the combined efforts of “responsible parenting, public awareness, and stronger regulatory collaboration”.
Maida explained that while digital platforms continue to expand globally, their cross-border operations often make effective monitoring and enforcement difficult for regulators.
He notef that the first line of defence against harmful online exposure begins at home, through conscious supervision of children’s digital activities by the parents.
According to Maida, parents and guardians must adopt deliberate measures to control the type of content accessible to minors, noting that he personally enforces strict monitoring of the use of their children’s device to their prevent exposure to inappropriate materials.
The NCC boss also encouraged internet users to take advantage of safety tools already incorporated in several online platforms, including options for reporting abuse, harassment, and offensive content.
On the regulatory parameters, Maida disclosed that the regulatory body has reviewed and updated its Code of Practice to improve oversight of digital platforms and service providers.
He explained that the revised framework empowers the commission to direct service providers to remove content considered harmful, unsafe, or offensive in line with existing regulations.
Maida further emphasised that the commission was working closely with agencies such as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to strengthen digital safety and reduce harmful exposure to online outputs.
