A Bill aimed at protecting the Nigerian child from the dangers of online abuse, violence and exploitation has made a significant inroads on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Mr Olumide Osoba, the proposed legislation is entitled: “A Bill for an Act to provide for the enactment of child online access protection Bill (2023) and other issues of online violence against the Nigerian child related.”

In his lead debate, Osoba drew the attention of his colleagues to the threat posed by the internet to children adding there is the need to develop a comprehensive framework through legislation, policy, and institutional context to shield them from dangers.

The lawmaker explained that bill creates an enabling environment for a collaborative effort from stakeholders, including legislators, clergymen, parents, the Police Force, Legal Aid, Births and Death registry, Judiciary, Media, Social welfare offices, and Internet Service Providers to nip the menace in the bud.

He disposed that the proposed legislation mandates Internet Service Providers to block access to materials depicting violent conduct, regulate illegal/restricted content irrespective of the host, and remove intimate images and videos shared online that negatively impact children.

He added: “While we acknowledge the significance of the Nigeria Data Protection Act signed into law on June 12, 2023, it is crucial to recognize the specific vulnerabilities children face in the digital space.

“The internet has become a breeding ground for threats to our children, and the absence of mandates to sensitize and enlighten parents, government, and the public on the alarming
increase in child abuse due to online activities calls for a robust legislative intervention.

“We cannot afford to underestimate the impact of the internet on our children. Every child has the right to be protected from abuse, exploitation, and violence stemming from cyber bullying, cyber-extortion, identity theft, drug trafficking, phishing, and other forms of online abuse.
“Our child protection systems must be extensive and robust, ensuring the well-being and safety of our children.

“This bill proposes a framework to prevent and address harms caused by serious online abuse or illegal and restricted online content.
“It emphasizes the importance of reporting incidents promptly and highlights the steps for addressing various types of online abuse.

“Additionally, it outlines fines, imprisonment, and other penalties to discourage online aggression and violence.”