In today’s interconnected world, the internet is a gateway to opportunities for children, offering boundless possibilities for education, social interaction, and creative expression. Platforms like Khan Academy, YouTube Kids, and Duolingo have revolutionised how children learn, allowing them to access resources beyond traditional classrooms.
Similarly, social media platforms enable children to connect with peers globally, fostering cross-cultural communication and collaboration. However, these opportunities come with the responsibility of ensuring that these digital spaces remain safe and nurturing for young users.
Despite its potential, the internet also harbors significant risks that can jeopardize children’s safety, well-being, and innocence. Cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and online exploitation are growing threats, with research by organizations like UNICEF highlighting the vulnerability of children in digital environments. For example, a UNICEF report on child safety online found that nearly 33% of young people globally have been victims of cyberbullying, emphasizing the urgent need for protective measures. Such risks underscore the importance of a balanced approach to enabling digital access while safeguarding against its dangers.
To address these challenges, MTN Group partnered with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to conduct an in-depth study across Nigeria, Zambia, and South Sudan. The Let Children Be Children report offers a comprehensive analysis of the online behaviors of children aged 8–17, providing critical insights into the risks they face daily. This study aligns with findings from global initiatives, such as those published in the Global Kids Online project, which highlight similar patterns of risky online behaviors among adolescents. By focusing on vulnerable regions, MTN Group has taken a significant step in ensuring that the digital revolution benefits all children without compromising their safety.
The study provides a vivid insight into the online landscape for children and adolescents, painting a picture of both immense opportunity and significant risk. The findings underline the pervasive nature of the internet in young lives, particularly in Nigeria, where 79% of teenagers aged 13–17 access the internet daily. This high level of connectivity speaks to the transformative power of digital technology, offering access to education, information, and socialization. However, it also highlights the urgent need for creating safe online environments that prioritise the well-being of children. Without appropriate safeguards, this digital accessibility can expose young users to various threats.
One of the most concerning revelations from the study is the prevalence of online harassment. Up to 10% of children across the surveyed regions reported experiencing harassment on widely used platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok. The nature of these incidents ranged from cyberbullying to more severe forms of exploitation. Such experiences not only harm children’s mental and emotional health but can also have long-lasting impacts on their academic performance, social interactions, and overall development. Global studies, including reports from UNICEF and the Internet Watch Foundation, have similarly highlighted how online harassment disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, calling for robust intervention measures.
Equally troubling is the revelation of risky online behaviors among children. Many respondents admitted to adding strangers to their contact lists, an action that increases the likelihood of encountering predators or being exposed to harmful content. In some cases, these virtual interactions even led to in-person meetings, with Juba, South Sudan, recording the highest percentage—60% of adolescents engaging in this behavior. These findings emphasise the need for greater digital literacy and awareness campaigns targeted at children and their guardians, teaching them to navigate the internet responsibly and recognise potential dangers.
The dual-edged nature of digital connectivity becomes evident when examining the opportunities and challenges it presents. On one hand, the internet serves as a platform for innovation, creativity, and education, equipping children with tools to thrive in a globalised world. On the other hand, the lack of adequate safeguards exposes young users to risks such as exploitation, misinformation, and psychological harm. This delicate balance underscores the critical role of parents, educators, governments, and tech companies in fostering a secure digital ecosystem that enables children to reap the benefits of technology without compromising their safety.
Overall, the study’s findings stress that the internet, while a powerful enabler, requires vigilant oversight and protective mechanisms to ensure it remains a positive force in children’s lives. Collaborative efforts involving policymakers, technology platforms, and grassroots organisations are essential to address these challenges. Programs that integrate digital safety into school curricula, strengthen reporting mechanisms for online harassment, and empower parents with digital monitoring tools can go a long way in mitigating these risks. By implementing these measures, we can create a safer and more empowering online environment for children, where they can fully embrace the opportunities the digital world has to offer.
The study revealed significant regional variations in the online experiences of children across Nigeria, South Sudan, and Zambia, offering a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced in each context. In Nigeria’s urban centers, such as Lagos, high internet penetration rates provide children with extensive access to digital tools and platforms. However, this connectivity is not without its challenges. While fewer cases of harassment and bullying were reported compared to Juba and Lusaka, the study highlighted a significant gap in parental supervision. This lack of oversight leaves many Nigerian children vulnerable to exploitation, emphasizing the need for robust parental education programs to promote active involvement in their children’s digital lives.
Meanwhile, Lusaka, Zambia, recorded higher instances of online harassment, with platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp frequently implicated in cyberbullying incidents. The pervasive nature of this harassment underscores the need for stricter content moderation policies and improved reporting mechanisms on social media platforms. In addition to technical measures, community-based initiatives focusing on peer support and creating safe digital spaces for children could help reduce the impact of cyberbullying on young users.
These regional disparities highlight the importance of context-specific interventions when addressing online risks. While Nigeria’s focus might center on empowering parents and caregivers with digital tools, South Sudan requires foundational digital literacy programs tailored to children and adolescents. Zambia, on the other hand, benefits from collaboration with social media companies to implement stricter safety protocols and ensure accountability. By tailoring solutions to the unique challenges of each region, stakeholders can more effectively create safe and empowering online environments for children across Africa.
The report also provides a clear roadmap for addressing the online risks that children face, presenting actionable recommendations to enhance safety and well-being in digital spaces. At the core of these strategies is the need to strengthen legal frameworks. Governments must prioritize the implementation and enforcement of laws to combat online exploitation effectively. This includes setting a clear legal age for digital consent, imposing strict penalties for offenders, and collaborating with international bodies to align regulations with global best practices. Strong legal structures not only deter predators but also empower authorities to act swiftly and decisively in protecting children.
Parental engagement is another cornerstone of online child safety. Parents play an essential role in monitoring and guiding their children’s online activities, yet many lack the tools or knowledge to do so effectively. Educational programs targeting parents should provide training on identifying potential risks, setting parental controls, and fostering open communication about online behavior. Organizations like MTN can support these efforts by developing digital tools and resources that make it easier for parents to stay involved in their children’s internet use. Parental involvement ensures that children feel supported while navigating the online world, making them less vulnerable to exploitation.
Schools also have a pivotal role to play through the integration of internet safety into their curricula. Teaching children about the potential dangers of online interactions and equipping them with skills to avoid risky behaviors can significantly reduce their exposure to harm. Such programs should include lessons on cyberbullying, recognizing inappropriate content, and reporting abuse. For instance, initiatives like UNESCO’s global guidelines on digital literacy in schools can serve as a model, ensuring that students develop critical thinking skills alongside technical knowledge. Educators trained in digital safety can also serve as trusted figures for students who encounter issues online.
Finally, fostering collaborative efforts among governments, NGOs, private-sector players like MTN, and tech companies is crucial for creating a safer digital environment for children. Internet service providers and social media platforms must establish child-friendly reporting channels and implement robust content moderation policies. Governments and NGOs can work together to fund public awareness campaigns and establish helplines for children. Private-sector entities, such as MTN, can leverage their technological expertise and reach to support these initiatives, ensuring comprehensive and unified efforts across all sectors. By combining these approaches, stakeholders can create an ecosystem that allows children to enjoy the benefits of digital connectivity without compromising their safety.
MTN Nigeria has made child online safety a key focus of its digital transformation agenda, launching initiatives to raise awareness and educate children, parents, and schools about the risks in the digital space. Through collaborations with schools to integrate internet safety into curricula, MTN empowers children to navigate the online world responsibly by addressing issues like cyberbullying and online exploitation.
The company also supports parental education by providing tools like parental control apps and conducting awareness campaigns. Additionally, MTN’s partnerships with organizations like the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) strengthen its efforts to combat child exploitation and ensure a safer digital environment for young users. These initiatives underscore MTN’s commitment to ensuring that digital connectivity fosters positive, secure, and enriching experiences for children.
The findings of the Let Children Be Children report highlight the urgent need for collective action. Protecting children online is not just the responsibility of parents or governments but requires a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders in the digital ecosystem. By fostering awareness, enacting protective measures, and empowering children with knowledge, we can ensure that the internet remains a place for exploration, learning, and growth. Let us work together to create a digital world where children can truly be children—safe, curious, and free to dream.