Isa Ali Pantami said that the policy’s main goal is to keep kids from seeing inappropriate content on the internet.
The National Child Online Protection Policy and Strategy has been given the Federal Executive Council’s approval.
Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, gave a briefing to State House reporters following the council meeting on Wednesday that was presided over by Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President. Pantami said that the main goal of the policy is to keep kids from seeing bad things online.
In accordance with a policy statement issued by the International Telecommunication Union, of which Nigeria is a member, on safeguarding children in the digital age, he claims that this has become a universal necessity.
“According to International Telecommunication Union data, even during COVID-19, more than 1 billion children were online, the majority of them for their academic work because schools were closed,” the minister added. They solely use virtual learning now.
“Children will not be able to distinguish between what is good and bad.” And if you go online today, you’ll find that a lot of things are going into your gadget without your permission. Children would not be able to avoid it, which would undoubtedly harm their innocence and even affect them morally and in other ways if you are at least somewhat mature.
He said that this was why the council made the National Child Online Protection Policy and Strategy.
Pantami said that the government works with 37 federal agencies, such as the NOA, NBC, Ministry of Justice, Information and Culture, and Office of the National Security Advisor, as part of a multi-sectoral approach.
He said that a system of government that included these important government institutions would use already-passed laws to figure out how to carry out its plans.
The council also passed the National Data Protection Bill, which makes sure that data given to public and private organizations is safe, private, and kept secret.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, a former director of e-government at NITDA, has also been approved to serve as the National Commissioner.
