The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is urging parents to play a proactive role in safeguarding their children as they navigate social media.
For Kashifu, “your responsibilities online include; non-disclosure of personal information to strangers, avoidance of people or strangers that demand for too much information, turn down offer to meet online strangers, not opening of mails or files from unknown sources, and always inform parents or teachers whenever you feel concerned about strangers online.”
According to Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of NITDA, some of the psychological risks the children could suffer from, if they are irresponsible online are; fear, low self-esteem, promiscuousness, violence, poor academic performance, among others. The IT agency’s chief says that; “among the physical risks you can experience online could be illness, injury, death, vandalisation, and loss of finance.”
For Kashifu, “your responsibilities online include; non-disclosure of personal information to strangers, avoidance of people or strangers that demand for too much information, turn down offer to meet online strangers, not opening of mails or files from unknown sources, and always inform parents or teachers whenever you feel concerned about strangers online.”
One of NITDA’s main concerns is children’s exposure to data privacy risks. With platforms often collecting user data, children who may not fully understand the implications could unknowingly reveal personal information, making them vulnerable to identity theft or other privacy breaches. NITDA encourages parents to help their children understand digital privacy, manage privacy settings, and be cautious with personal information shared online.
“Social media has become a key part of children’s lives, offering them ways to connect, learn, and express themselves. However, it also presents risks, such as exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online predators, and privacy breaches. Parents play a crucial role in ensuring their kids navigate social media safely and responsibly,” according to NITDA.
Practical steps for parents to protect children on social media
NITDA recommends several actions parents can take to promote safer social media use among children:
Know what social media apps your children are using, such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and newer emerging apps.
Ensure privacy control and other safety features settings are activated to protect your child’s privacy.
Regularly review your child’s friend lists to ensure they only connect with people they know in real life.
Educate your children on the dangers of sharing personal information, such as full names, addresses, school locations, or birth dates, which could be used by predators or for identity theft.
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