Children’s access to internet should be strictly regulated — Lawyer

A legal practitioner has cautioned that if children’s access to social media is not properly regulated and directed towards legitimate educational purposes, it may expose them to online dangers that governments are increasingly seeking to address.

Ahiakwo spoke with our reporter yesterday while reacting to the announcement by the Federal Government that it will soon grant 100MB to schoolchildren to enable them to access educational resources.

He advised that the government should clarify the policy framework underpinning the initiative.

He called on the government to explain whether the data would be restricted to verified educational platforms, how the children would be protected from harmful content and how access would be supervised.

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He also suggested that the policy introducing the data provision should explain how students without appropriate devices or reliable electricity will benefit from the initiative.

“Importantly, what will the programme cost the public, and what measurable educational outcomes does the Government expect to achieve?”

Ahiakwo asked whether the 100MB would be sufficient for meaningful digital learning, asserting that if students are expected to watch instructional videos, participate in virtual classes, download learning materials and conduct online research under the supervision of teachers, such an allocation could be exhausted very quickly.

He also spoke about educational investments, arguing that digital access cannot substitute for basic educational infrastructure such as functional classrooms, competent teachers, textbooks, laboratories, libraries and reliable electricity.

“Technology should strengthen these foundations, not distract the government from them.

“The Federal Government must also explain how the data initiative will operate alongside its policies concerning children’s access to social media and other harmful online services.”

He warned that internet access exposes children to harmful content, exploitation, cyberbullying and other risks.

He advised that Nigeria, like Australia, the United Kingdom and other such countries, must introduce legislation to control access to social media, especially for persons under 16.

The lawyer maintained that “Such legislation should, however, recognise the need to preserve legitimate and beneficial online activities, including education.”