By Atlantic Reports

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has called for digital literacy to be incorporated into school curricula from an early age to help protect children from online abuse and exploitation.

NiRA Chief Operating Officer Seyi Onasanya made the call on Wednesday in Abuja, saying safety education should begin when children start using phones, tablets and other connected devices.

“Digital literacy is a must. It is not a nice-to-have for our curriculum and our schools,” she said.

Onasanya argued that protecting children online required cooperation among parents, teachers, school authorities, policymakers and technology stakeholders.

Teachers Need Training Too

Onasanya said teachers could provide effective digital safety education only if they had the knowledge and skills to guide children.

She explained that NiRA established the Ndukwe Kalu Foundation to support child online safety, protection and reporting of abuse.

According to her, the foundation has made digital literacy a priority and is conducting capacity-building programmes for teachers and school management personnel.

The supplied account did not identify participating schools, the number of people trained or how the programmes’ effectiveness was being assessed.

Understanding Digital Tools and Their Risks

Onasanya said artificial intelligence could help teachers prepare lesson plans, but children also needed to understand the risks associated with digital technologies.

She warned that online platforms could be exploited to facilitate kidnapping, trafficking, sexual extortion and other abuse, with consequences for children’s emotional well-being and their families.

To illustrate the need for early guidance, she recounted an instance in which a three-year-old reportedly described Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, as a friend.

That anecdote reflects her account of an individual case, rather than evidence of how children generally understand or interact with virtual assistants.

Her broader recommendation was for age-appropriate guidance as soon as children begin accessing cartoons, educational resources and other digital content.

Clear Reporting Channels

Onasanya urged stakeholders to develop policies that strengthen child protection, support schools and establish clear routes for children and school authorities to report abuse.

She called for practical action beyond repeated discussions, saying protection from physical threats alone was insufficient in an increasingly connected world.

The proposal did not include a national rollout timetable or detailed curriculum. Its implementation would require age-appropriate materials, teacher preparation and reporting systems that children can understand and access safely.

For families and schools, the central task is to help children recognise risks and seek trusted adult support while benefiting from digital learning.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.