The House of Representatives has passed the 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 for the second reading.
The Bill mandates Internet Service Providers to block access to materials depicting violent conduct, regulate illegal or restricted content irrespective of the host, and remove intimate images and videos shared online that negatively impact children.
The House passed the Bill for second reading at the plenary on Thursday.
Leading the debate on the Bill, the sponsor of the bill, Hon. Olumide Osoba, said in the face of technological advancements, the children encounter unprecedented risks online.
He argued that the Child Online Access Protection Bill (2023) was a pivotal initiative to shield the Nigerian child from the perils of online violence and exploitation.
Osoba added: “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 recognize the specific vulnerabilities children face in the digital space.”
The lawmaker pointed out that the internet has become a breeding ground for threats to the children, saying that the absence of mandates to sensitise and enlighten parents, government, and the public on the alarming increase in child abuse due to online activities calls for a robust legislative intervention.
He said the impact of the internet on the children cannot be underestimate.
Osoba noted, “Every child has the right to be protected from abuse, exploitation, and violence stemming from cyber-bullying, 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.”
He stressed that the bill necessitates a collaborative effort from stakeholders, including legislators, clergymen, parents, the Police Force, Legal Aid, Births and Death registry, Judiciary, Media, Social welfare offices, and Internet Service Providers.
The lawmaker said: “Together, we must develop a comprehensive framework through legislation, policy, and institutional context to shield our children from online malaise.
“This bill proposes a framework to prevent and address harms caused by serious online abuse or illegal and restricted online content. It emphasises the importance of reporting incidents promptly and highlights the steps for addressing various types of online abuse. Additionally, it outlines fines, imprisonment, and other penalties to discourage online aggression and violence.”
Osoba said as Representatives of the people, the Bill is a pivotal step towards ensuring a safer digital future for Nigeria’s youth.