Save the Children International Nigeria has called for a safe and accessible digital environment for children to learn and grow up healthy.

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In a report released on Friday to commemorate the Day of the African Child, the International Organization emphasised the need for children to be safe while learning online.

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They said digital technologies play critical role in boosting quality of education especially for children.

“The Day of African Child – 16th June, serves as a commemoration of the students whose lives were lost during the 1976 uprising in Soweto, South Africa. Unfortunately, violent acts against children which occurred all those years ago still happen to children today.

“The African Children’s Charter stipulates that the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of the child also imply the fulfillment of duties by all relevant stakeholders.

“The theme for the Day of the African Child 2023, “The Rights of the Child in the Digital Environment” reminds everyone to play our roles in holding governments accountable to progress being made in adopting policies to protect children as well as reflecting on what more needs to be done to effectively promote the right of children”, SCI noted.

The organisation further urged the Nigerian government and all stakeholders to prioritize the rights of children in the digital space, fostering a technological environment for growth and development through implementation of policies for their safety and protection.

According to them, “The relevant rights of children include not only children’s rights to protection from all forms of violence but also their rights to participation and provision. In the absence of proper mechanisms of protection, children will be susceptible to greater risks of harm online.

“The digital space comes with huge opportunities and challenges for sure, but it brings more prospects if it is maximized for the growth and development of children. The internet has provided invaluable opportunities for the realization of children’s fundamental rights and freedoms such as the right to education, freedom of expression, and freedom of association, among others.

“However, lack of access to the internet remains a primary challenge to children to meaningfully participating in the digital sphere, especially the children who live in the rural communities and conflict areas”.

Hamisu Mohammed, Speaker of the Yobe State Children’s Parliament said, “digital technology has increased access to education, entertainment, and socialization for this generation. It is therefore our State government’s responsibility to ensure that children enjoy their right to participation and protection online. In this digital age, children’s rights are no different from their rights in the physical world. We call on all stakeholders to provide and protect children’s rights in the digital space by promoting digital literacy among children.”

The Digital environment in Nigeria has grown significantly in recent years, exposing children to a range of activities for their consumption and an integral part of their lives.

According to the Nigeria Communication Commission survey, 2020, 93% of 11-16-year-olds and 45% of 4–10-year-olds go online with their own phones indicating a high rate of phone ownership among children in Nigeria.

Rita Doose Shamiga, a Girl Champion of Save the Children International Nigeria said, “everyone has equal rights and access to the digital community in ways meaningful to them. Technology has made things easy, and nobody is exempted from using these innovations. Children have rights in the digital space, rights to e-learning, rights to be safeguarded while using the internet, and rights to useful information. The government should implement laws and policies that will protect children while they use the internet. This will keep us safe online.”

Save the Children however call for law formulation and implementation to tackle violations of children’s rights online through the adoption and domestication of the AU Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data (Malabo Convention) and other applicable international instruments and the ECOWAS Directive on Fighting Cyber Crime (2011) which provide for offenses related to child pornography while also firming up appropriate regulatory frameworks to hold businesses accountable where they are found to have participated in online sexual abuse and exploitation.

Amanuel Mamo, Director of Advocacy, Campaigns, Communication, and Media, at Save the Children International Nigeria said, “unsafe use of the internet and the digital environment may expose children to risks that, unless managed properly, could undermine their protection, learning, mental and social well-being. As the rapid take-up of digital technologies and social media by Africa’s children and young people continues, it is crucial to adopt an approach that minimizes the risks without restricting the considerable opportunities and benefits digital technologies and social media have to offer.

“The fight for a safe environment for children is a global collaboration patterned for local-national implementation and effectiveness. Hence, the government must ensure that many children have access to the internet for their learning and development purposes but at the same time ensure the strict guidelines for their safety and well-being while utilizing new information and communication technologies,” Amanuel Mamo, said.

Save the Children joined the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) to call for the participation of children in decision-making processes using digital technologies presented in a child-friendly format.

They urged caregivers and teachers who are sufficiently equipped to assist children in safely navigating the digital environment and training for members of law enforcement and the judiciary to empower them in order to comprehensively address issues of child online protection.

They advised that steps be taken to remove existing barriers faced by children with disabilities and other children from marginalized and vulnerable communities (including refugee children, IDPs, children affected by armed conflicts, etc.) in relation to the digital environment.

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