A new report by GSM Association (GSMA) has revealed that 50 per cent of Nigerian children exploring the online space suffer from online bullying and harassment. The GSMA, which beamed its searchlight on sub-Saharan Africa region, made the startling revelation recently. It also pointed out that the rapidly evolving digital landscape in the region has brought unprecedented opportunities for economic growth, education and social development. The GSMA projected that Africa would be home to one billion children in 2055. It equally estimated that about 18 per cent of children aged 5-7 in sub-Saharan Africa would access the mobile internet with more being online every day.
Despite the fact the digital connectivity offers bountiful opportunities for education and social interaction, the GSMA said the IPSOS research commissioned by MTN Group in 2024, revealed that digital platforms expose children to risks, including cyberbullying, harmful content, and online exploitation. According to experts, cyberbullying refers to the process of using the internet, cell phones or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person. It is often used interchangeably with ‘cyber stalking.’
It is also a form of bullying that takes place online. It has significant negative impacts on the mental and emotional health and well-being of victims, as well as on their academic and social lives. Victims of cyberbulling are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and social anxiety. Moreover, cyberbullying can lead to suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
Available data on online bullying in Nigeria show that 23.9 per cent of adolescents had perpetrated cyberbullying, 39.8 per cent had been victimized online, and 21.0 per cent were both victims and perpetrators. One study showed that about 50 per cent of surveyed students experienced some form of cyberbullying. A UNICEF/UN report revealed that one in three young people in the surveyed African countries experienced online bullying.
The Cybercrimes Act 2015 defines ‘cyber stalking’ as any course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to be afraid. According to the provisions of the Act, the transmission of any communication through the means of a computer to bully, threaten or harass another person where such constitutes a threat is considered an offence.
The study also showed that many of the over 50 per cent of Nigerian children, who experienced online bullying and harassment, refrained from seeking help due to fear of punishment. It noted that Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, Gmail, Chat sites, and TikTok were significantly associated with online harassment among those surveyed. The study found out that unrestricted access to the internet has led to growing exploration of inappropriate content without adequate parental guidance. That has also been linked with heightened stress and behavioural issues among children.
Undoubtedly, the aforementioned social media sites have been significantly associated with online harassment among those surveyed by the GSMA research group. The group also stressed the need for a child and youth-centric approach to address online safety issues. Unfortunately, the online abuse of fellow youths, religious leaders, political leaders and other public figures by some online users has increased.
Considering the harmful effects of online bullying and harassment on the health of children and young people, we call on the federal government to come up with measures to protect children from the ubiquitous menace. We believe that adequate regulation of the digital platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, TikTok and others will considerably reduce the scourge. The extant regulatory frameworks should be strengthened for better results. Concerned government agencies and other stakeholders should invest in digital literacy education and online safety. Parents and guardians and even the youths should be part of this crusade to sanitize the online space.
The operators of the online digital platforms need to check the inherent abuses of such sites by those who engage in online bullying, harassment and cyber stalking. They can pull down those toxic posts and ban those bullying others and others who use the cyber space for hate speech and ethnic profiling. We call for security and safety on the cyber space. NGOs have a significant role to play by advocating for vulnerable groups and amplifying silent voices afraid to report incidents of cyber bullying.
Schools should educate children about the complexities of the digital world while equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate it safely. Advocacy groups, churches, mosques and youth groups should sensitize young people on how to overcome cyberbully and the need to report such harassment to parents, guardians. They should be encouraged to share their stories of cyber bullying and harassment with parents. Let the Cyber Crimes Act and other related laws be strictly enforced. We also believe that enforcing the laws on image rights will largely reduce the rising cases of cyberbullying.
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