Abuja:A cybersecurity expert, Gbemisola Esho, has called on regulators to implement infrastructure-based safeguards on digital platforms to protect children from online threats such as predators, phishing, and social engineering attacks.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Esho emphasized the importance of moving beyond laws and content moderation to incorporate trust measures directly into internet infrastructure. She highlighted the use of Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) as a means to secure the Domain Name System (DNS), helping to identify manipulated domains and protect children from harmful websites.
Esho noted that while the Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has implemented DNSSEC in Nigeria, many platforms have yet to fully utilize this technology. She advocated for child protection measures to extend from the application layer to the infrastructure layer, suggesting that platforms should incorporate practical safeguards into the systems that support internet access.
She explained that online predators often use phishing and social engineering tactics to deceive children and gain their trust. By deploying DNSSEC across digital platforms, it would be possible to detect domain manipulation and reduce the risks of fraudulent websites targeting minors.
Esho also recommended implementing safeguards to prevent unknown adults from contacting minors on digital platforms and stressed the need for mandatory compliance for platforms operating in Nigeria. She advocated for automatic age verification and protective mechanisms designed to activate additional safeguards for minors.
She called for the adoption of similar protective measures throughout Africa to enhance children’s online safety. Emphasizing digital literacy, Esho pointed out that children may not fully grasp the risks involved when interacting with online platforms and AI-powered systems.
She raised concerns about children seeking emotional support from digital platforms, potentially leading to trust in non-human systems that could provide harmful advice or manipulation, with severe consequences including suicide. Esho warned that sexual exploitation and coercion into sharing intimate images could cause lasting harm.
To ensure effective online protection for children, Esho proposed a comprehensive approach combining trusted infrastructure, platform safeguards, regulatory enforcement, and digital literacy.