The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has advised parents and guardians to monitor and restrict their children’s online engagement because uncontrolled exposure to cyberspace has negative impacts on their wellbeing.
This was disclosed by the Commission’s Director Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka in a statement on Thursday.
According to the statement, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, gave the advice at the recent First Web Rangers Nigeria Summit, a Google’s initiative that focuses on developing digital literacy and equipping telecom consumers with the knowledge they require for online safety.
He said it is imperative to know what children are doing in the cyberspace to protect them from the dangers of exposure to unwholesome contents that will affect their behaviour.
The Summit, themed, “Navigating the Responsibility of Online Safety Between Users, Providers and Regulators”, aimed to discuss measures to addressing challenges posed by online criminal activities as they affect children and the youth.
Dambatta, who was represented by the Director, New Media and Information Security (NMIS) Department, Dr. Haru Alhassan, said the Commission is committed to supporting the governance and security of the nation’s cyberspace, as well as facilitating the adoption of innovative technologies and acquisition of ICT skills.
He noted that, NCC as the telephone regulator is aware of its responsibilities of ensuring safety in the digital ecosystem.
He added that, the need to ensure strict regulation of the Cyberspace informed its establishment of the NCC Computer Security Incidence Response Team (CSIRT) inaugurated in 2021.
He further explained that CSIRT responds to computer security incidents to regain control and minimise damage, provides or assists with effective incident response and recovery, while inhibiting computer security incidents such as malware, virus, and online child threats.
Alhassan recalled that, the Commission’s establishment of the Internet Industry Code of Practice (ICP) in 2019, which is designed to secure the country’s cyberspace against imminent threats from cyber attackers as well as addressing issues such as online child protection, privacy and data protection, among others.
He noted that the Commission is member of the National Committee on the Development of a Unified National Strategy on Child Online Protection (COP) in Nigeria, and emphasised that NCC regularly sensitizes parents and children on cybercrime trends such as cyberbullying, phishing, and online identity theft.
On his part, the Manager, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google Nigeria, Dawn Dimowo, stated that the Summit is aimed at strengthening the advocacy for digital safety and allowing the youth to share their innovation.
According to the statement, the maiden Web Ranger Summit was anchored by the Public and Private Development Center (PPDC) through the digital inclusion and safer internet (DISI) programme.
It added that, as an organisation, the PPDC has successfully pioneered safer internet and digital inclusion practices and activities in some schools and among many stakeholders in Nigeria.
The statement added, “Some of these initiatives are the development of the Online Safety Curriculum, the Web Rangers Clubs, online safety training for staff and students, and the annual celebration of safer internet day in collaboration with the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC)”.
