The Network of Peace Journalists (NPJ) has called on African governments to prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms just like several countries that have introduced strict measures to protect young people from the harmful effects of excessive online exposure.
The Team Leader of the Network of Peace Journalists, Ibrahima Yakubu, made the call in a press statement, noting that unrestricted access to social media has contributed to cyberbullying, online exploitation, exposure to harmful and violent content, declining academic performance, addiction, and mental health challenges among children and teenagers.
Yakubu noted that a growing number of countries have taken steps to regulate children’s use of social media. He cited Australia, which has approved legislation to prevent children under 16 from accessing social media platforms; France, which requires parental consent for children under 15 to create social media accounts; Spain, which has proposed raising the minimum age for social media use to 16 and strengthening age-verification measures; and Norway, which has announced plans to increase the minimum age for social media access while introducing stronger protections for minors.
He said African countries should adopt similar policies to safeguard children from online dangers and encourage healthier childhood development.
Yakubu further recommended that governments establish clear legislation requiring social media companies to implement robust age-verification systems and enforce strict penalties for platforms that fail to protect underage users. He also called for increased investment in digital literacy programmes to educate children, parents, and teachers on responsible internet use and online safety.
He urged schools to incorporate digital citizenship and online safety into their curricula, while encouraging parents and guardians to monitor their children’s online activities, set screen-time limits, and engage them in constructive educational and recreational activities.
The NPJ Team Leader also appealed to religious institutions, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, and the media to intensify public awareness campaigns on the risks associated with excessive social media use among children.
According to him, protecting children from harmful online content is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration among governments, families, educators, technology companies, and communities. He emphasized that introducing appropriate regulations would not deny children access to technology but would ensure they use digital platforms in a safe, responsible, and age-appropriate manner while preserving their mental well-being, education, and moral development.
