Child rights advocates in Nigeria have urged for stronger measures to protect children from online sexual exploitation and abuse. This call was made during an X Space discussion organised by the Foundation for Digital Justice. The discussion, themed 'Edo: Protecting Children from Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Nigeria,' featured experts including Dr Samuel Atiku, Taiwo Akinlami, and Salvation Grace Aworanti. They emphasised the need for greater accountability among social media platforms and stronger community involvement to protect children from abuse.
Dr Samuel Atiku, Senior Research Fellow at the Macrofiscal Centre, expressed concern over the increasing cases of online sexual exploitation. He noted that the nature of abuse in the digital space is unlike anything previously experienced. Atiku called for greater accountability among social media platforms, arguing that platforms should bear responsibility when abuse occurs on their services. He suggested that platforms should have terms stating that the owner bears the brunt of any abuse that occurs.
Atiku also advocated for Nigeria to develop and enforce regulations for digital platforms operating in the country. He argued that relying on regulations from countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom is not sufficient. Taiwo Akinlami, Family and Social Development Attorney, emphasised the importance of parents maintaining a strong relationship with their children to prevent abuse. He noted that protecting children should not be left to parents alone, as other stakeholders, including churches, government institutions, and non-governmental organisations, also have important roles to play.
Akinlami urged parents and other stakeholders to guide children in navigating social media and the internet safely. He noted that in Nigeria, the responsibility of protecting children is often left to parents alone, whereas other stakeholders should also be involved. Salvation Grace Aworanti, Founder of the VARSH Foundation, expressed concern about the country's justice system and its response to cases of abuse. She spoke from her experience working with children affected by sexual exploitation and abuse.
The advocates also called on the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons to be more proactive in tackling cases of child sexual exploitation and abuse. They further advocated for the integration of positive social norms into Nigeria's modern laws. The Foundation for Digital Justice said the discussion was part of its commitment to promoting the ethical use of digital spaces and ensuring that children in Nigeria are protected from online sexual exploitation and abuse.
The discussion highlighted the need for a collective effort to protect children from online abuse. The advocates noted that stronger community involvement is necessary to protect children from abuse. They also emphasised the importance of educating children on how to navigate the internet safely. The Foundation for Digital Justice aims to promote the ethical use of digital spaces and ensure that children in Nigeria are protected from online sexual exploitation and abuse.
The recent incident in Edo State involving the online sexual exploitation of a child by the child's mother underscored the need for stronger measures to protect children from online abuse. The advocates' call for stronger protection for children from online abuse is a timely reminder of the need for collective action to prevent child abuse. The issue requires a multifaceted approach, involving government institutions, non-governmental organisations, and individuals.
Key points
- Child rights advocates in Nigeria are calling for stronger measures to protect children from online sexual exploitation and abuse.
- The advocates are urging for greater accountability among social media platforms and stronger community involvement to protect children from abuse.
- The Foundation for Digital Justice is promoting the ethical use of digital spaces and ensuring that children in Nigeria are protected from online sexual exploitation and abuse.
