Abuja:Stakeholders at the Child Online Safety Protection and Reporting of Abuse in Nigeria (COSPRA) summit have called for stronger collaboration, improved reporting mechanisms, and digital safeguards to protect children from increasing online threats. The summit, held on Wednesday, was organized by the Ndukwe Kalu Foundation, a special purpose vehicle established by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event centered on the theme “Protecting Every Child in the Era of AI: Building a Safe and Trusted Digital Future.” Mr. Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), emphasized the urgency of establishing robust systems to protect children in the digital environment, especially with the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Arabi noted that while the digital world is an integral part of children’s lives, it also poses risks such as exploitation, cyberbullying, and privacy violations. He highlighted that AI adds complexity by enabling rapid content creation and dissemination, which current systems may not adequately address. Arabi called for effective governance, regulation, and accountability, along with mechanisms for reporting abuse.
Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, President of NiRA, discussed the role of the .ng country code top-level domain in representing Nigeria’s online identity and mentioned the implementation of DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) to enhance security. He identified trust, traceability, collaboration, and digital literacy as crucial for strengthening child online safety.
Ms. Erica Okibe, Executive Secretary of the Ndukwe Kalu Foundation, pointed out the shared responsibility of digital safety, given the increase in online risks such as cyberbullying and data misuse. She stressed the importance of reporting mechanisms to prevent children from suffering in silence and outlined COSPRA’s initiatives, including summits and advocacy efforts.
Mr. Hakeem Lawal from NAPTIP advocated for Child Safety by Design in digital platforms, focusing on proactive safety and privacy measures. Daniella Oladele, a student, urged the government to raise awareness about the dangers of AI misuse.