Reps vow to protect children against cyberbullying

• Its sponsor, Olumide Osoba, said unrestrained access to the internet could damage the health of children
  

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A bill aimed at safeguarding children from internet violence, encompassing cyberbullying, successfully passed its second reading at the House of Representatives on Thursday.

The bill seeks “to mandate internet service providers to block access to materials depicting violent conduct, regulate illegal/restricted content irrespective of the host, and remove intimating images and videos shared online that negatively impact children.”

Leading the debate on the bill titled “A bill for an act to provide for the enactment of child online access protection bill, 2023 and other issues of online violence against the Nigerian child,” its sponsor, Olumide Osoba, said unrestrained access to the internet could damage the health of children.

He said, “I stand before you today not just as a legislator but as a parent deeply concerned about the safety of our children in the digital age. In the face of technological advancements, our children encounter unprecedented risks online. The Child Online Access Protection Bill (2023), which I sponsor, is a pivotal initiative to shield the Nigerian child from the perils of online violence and exploitation.

“Raising our children in this era of the internet has become an enduring task. The threat of violence has escalated, affecting our children physically, sexually, and psychologically. While we acknowledge the significance of the Nigeria Data Protection Act signed into law on June 12, 2023, it is crucial to recognise the specific vulnerabilities children face in the digital space.”

The lawmaker said the internet had become “a breeding ground for threats to our children,” hence, “we cannot afford to underestimate the impact of the internet on our children.

“Every child has the right to be protected from abuse, exploitation, and violence stemming from cyberbullying, cyber-extortion, identity theft, drug trafficking, phishing, and other forms of online abuse. Our child protection systems must be extensive and robust, ensuring the well-being and safety of our children.”