Group Recommends Bill for an Act to Restrict Children Access To Social Media, Child Online Protection
Advocacy For Children’s Right Initiative is a non Governmental Organisation based in Gombe State, Nigeria. Amongst our objectives is the promotion and protection of Children’s Right physically and online. In the recent past, it has become necessary for Children to use the internet due to the impact of the novel Corona Virus for learning purposes.
However, we have noticed with dismay that some of these Children have unrestricted access to unhealthy contents online which have sparked immoral behaviors making them vulnerable and susceptible to abuse, blackmail and cyber bulleying.
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The Unfortunate incidents at Chrisland School Lagos places a u burden on organization like us to urgently demand for a bill or policy restricting the access of children to non academic sites online, social media apps, and child online protection. This will in turn curb child abuse online, protect the intellectual property right of creative children and will completely restrict minors from having access to certain sites and apps.
We want to appreciate NITDA for providing a hand book on “Keeping Children Safe Online”. But more needs to be done by government to rein in on children’s access to unhealthy cyber contents and to get the society aware on this handbook.
Below is an excerpt from the Hand Book.
” Child online abuse is a societal concern that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries are developing measures to address and provide significant assurance of online safety for children, their families, and society at large. Let us be clear, online safety is not the non-existence of harm or risk, rather it is creating the atmosphere or opportunity to overcome the risks while enjoying the inherent benefits of using the internet.
Educating young children about cyber safety is complicated – young children often do not understand the social and technical complexities of the internet. This lack of understanding arises
because the internet is virtual and cannot be experienced firsthand by sense. Computers and devices are usually in places children perceive as safe (homes, schools, cars, etc.). Therefore,
the risks are not readily apparent to them. They do not understand that the computer is networked and connected
beyond their safe places to a world that can be risky and dangerous. Young children and most adults do not realize that materials posted on the internet oftentimes, do not have
external controls or standards to subscribe to”.
Several countries have taken strategic measures to curb this surging danger. The first lady of The United State…
Accept the assurance of my highest esteem.
