Child rights advocates, digital safety experts and educators have raised serious concerns over the growing risks Nigerian children face online. They say the statistics on cyberbullying and online sexual abuse is disturbing.
They spoke at the Safer Internet Day 2026 Educators’ Workshop, organized by Techsocietal.
Speaking at the workshop, Techsocietal’s Programmes Manager, Mr Gabriel Odunsi, stated that data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revealed that 97 per cent of Nigerian children between the ages of 11 and 16 have experienced unwanted sexual approaches online. The research further showed that children aged between four and 16 have been exposed to sexual images or content on the internet, while 79 per cent reported feeling unsafe online. An alarming 89 per cent said they had received sexual images or explicit content through digital platforms.
The workshop highlighted cyberbullying as one of the most prevalent online threats affecting young people. Speakers explained how bullying often begins in physical school environments and later transferred to digital spaces such as private chat groups and social media platforms, where abuse is sustained and amplified.
Mr Gabriel also drew attention to the dangers associated with online gaming platforms, noting that features such as voice chats and private messaging can expose children to grooming, manipulation and information extraction by strangers. According to the facilitators, many young people unknowingly share personal details, images and videos with individuals they have never met offline, sometimes leading to online sexual exploitation, blackmail and extortion.
Educators were warned about the ease with which explicit content can be accessed today, compared to previous generations. With smartphones, internet-enabled devices and algorithm-driven platforms, children are increasingly exposed to inappropriate material, often without actively searching for it.
Also speaking, its Program Officer, Emmanuella Aston, also addressed other digital risks, including unsafe online payments, accidental in-app purchases, excessive screen time, disrupted sleep patterns, reduced attention spans and social isolation. While acknowledging the positive impact of the internet on learning, creativity and collaboration, speakers stressed the need for balanced and guided internet use.
Educators were urged to integrate digital safety, media literacy and online responsibility into school curricula, extracurricular activities and everyday classroom interactions. Speakers emphasized that conversations around online safety should be continuous rather than treated as one-off sessions.
The workshop also featured interactive session in which educators engaged them in reading and answering of questions.
The key focus of the workshop was the role of teachers and school administrators in responding to online harm. Facilitators emphasized the importance of trauma-informed and empathetic responses, urging educators to listen without judgment, avoid blaming language and prioritize the safety and emotional well-being of affected students.
A major focus of the workshop was the role of educators in responding to cases of online harm. Facilitators stressed the importance of trauma-informed responses, advising teachers to listen without judgment, avoid blaming language and prioritize the emotional safety of affected students. Participants were encouraged to refer to affected children as “survivors” rather than “victims,” highlighting the power of language in promoting healing and empowerment.
The workshop also provided free website, Techsocietal Acedemy, in which students and educators can read and understand more about the safer internet, and it is written in all Nigeria Languages , English, Hausa , Igbo, and Yoruba.
The workshop also provided practical guidance on evidence preservation, safe documentation of online abuse, privacy protection and responsible reporting. Participants were introduced to reporting tools and takedown mechanisms that can help remove abusive content from major social media platforms.
The Safer Internet Day 2026 Educators’ Workshop concluded with interactive sessions aimed at helping schools develop digital resilience strategies, equipping educators with the skills needed to support students navigating today’s complex digital landscape.
Organizers called for stronger collaboration between schools, parents, civil society organizations and government agencies, stressing that online safety cannot be addressed in isolation. They emphasized the need for consistent education, open communication and shared responsibility in protecting children online.
The event concluded with interactive group sessions on digital resilience mapping, where educators discussed common online challenges in their schools and explored strategies for equipping students with decision-making skills, digital literacy and online safety awareness.
Techsocietal reaffirmed its commitment to supporting schools through continuous training, resources and advocacy, urging educators to make digital safety a permanent part of school culture rather than a one-time conversation.
