Oladele, FCC Chairman Ag, Backs Falana On Social Media Ban For Minor
The call by Femi Falana, SAN, a Lagos Lawyer and human rights activist to regulate and potentially restrict minors’ access to social media platforms in Nigeria has been supported by his colleague and comrade in law profession and activism, Hon. Kayode Oladele, the acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
The international lawyer expressed concern over the increasing exposure of children to unregulated and harmful online content, noting that while social media has benefits, it has also become a major source of moral decline, cyberbullying, online exploitation, and mental health challenges among minors. He commended Falana for making case for the ban and called the initiative timely, responsible, and in the best interest of the nation’s future, citing the Australian model as a useful reference.
Oladele described the initiative as timely, responsible, and in the best interest of the nation’s future, citing the Australian model as a useful reference.
“Any restriction should include clear age limits, parental involvement, platform accountability, and effective enforcement mechanisms, clarifying that the objective is child protection, not censorship. Australia has demonstrated that it is possible to strike a balance between digital innovation and child protection. Their approach shows that safeguarding minors from harmful online exposure is not an assault on free speech, but a responsible act of governance. Nigeria must not shy away from taking similar bold steps,” Oladele said.
The former Chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission called on the Federal Government to initiate a broad-based national dialogue involving parents, educators, child development experts, civil society organizations, lawmakers, and technology companies to develop a child-centered social media regulatory framework suited to Nigeria’s social and cultural realities.
“Our children are the custodians of tomorrow’s Nigeria. Allowing them to be exposed to unfiltered digital dangers under the guise of freedom is a risk we cannot continue to take. The Australian example shows that firm, thoughtful regulation is both possible and necessary,” he stated.
