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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has asked parents and guardians to monitor and regulate their children’s online activity since unsupervised exposure to the internet poses serious risks to kids’ health.
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Speaking at the recent First Web Rangers Nigeria Summit in Abuja, which is part of a Google initiative to promote digital literacy and arm telecom users with the information they need for their online safety, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said it is crucial to be aware of what our kids are doing online..
Danbatta, represented by the Director of New Media and Information Security (NMIS), Dr. Haru Alhassan, addressed the challenges posed by online criminal activity as it affects children and young people. He stated that the Commission is dedicated to supporting the governance and security of the country’s cyberspace as well as facilitating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and the acquisition of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills.
He claimed that the NCC Computer Security Incidence Response Team (CSIRT), which was established in 2021, was created because the telecom regulator is cognizant of the obligations placed on it to ensure safety in the digital environment
He described how CSIRT responds to computer security incidents in order to restore control and minimize damage, offering or assisting with effective incident response and recovery, and thwarting computer security incidents like malware, viruses, and threats against online children.
Alhassan also referred to the Internet Industry Code of Practice (ICP), which was established by the Commission in 2019 and is intended to protect the nation’s cyberspace from immediate threats from cyberattackers as well as address issues like online child protection, privacy, and data protection, among other things.
Dr. Alhassan emphasized that NCC regularly educates parents and kids on cybercrime trends like cyberbullying, phishing, and online identity theft while noting that the Commission is a member of the National Committee on the Development of a Unified National Strategy on Child Online Protection (COP) in Nigeria.
According to Dawn Dimowo, Manager of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google Nigeria, the Summit offers a chance to increase support for digital safety advocacy while also giving young people a platform to showcase their innovations.
The Public and Private Development Center (PPDC), in conjunction with the Digital Inclusion and Safer Internet (DISI) program, served as the summit’s main sponsor.
As a group, the PPDC has been successful in establishing safer internet use and digital inclusion policies and initiatives among numerous Nigerian stakeholders, including some schools. The creation of the Online Safety Curriculum, the Web Rangers Clubs, online safety instruction for staff and students, and the annual celebration of Safer Internet Day in cooperation with the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council are a few of these projects (NERDC).
