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Summary
Naija Feminists Media (NFM)Â hosted an X Space on Apr. 25, 2025, to address the increasing threat of digital predators against girls. Experts from journalism, law, education, and social work discussed the patterns of predation, legal frameworks, and the need for early education and community involvement. The conversation emphasised the urgency of combining advocacy, legislation, media responsibility, and grassroots action to protect girls' safety and digital freedom.
In commemoration of the International Girls in ICT Day, Naija Feminists Media (NFM) hosted an important conversation on Friday, 25 April 2025, addressing the urgent need to safeguard girls from digital predators. The event, held on X (formerly Twitter) at 5 p.m. WAT, brought together experts across journalism, law, education, and social work to highlight rising threats and propose proactive solutions.
Nkechi Igwebuike, Partnerships and Projects Officer at NFM, moderated the session, which featured speakers including journalist and digital safety advocate Oyeyemi Abolade, gender equality advocate Kosisochukwu Charity Ani, legal experts Deborah Orji and Gladys Matthew, feminist educator Franca Okeh, district reporter Elfrida Chinkwita of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), and social worker Silverline Wiro.
Kosisochukwu emphasised that digital predation reflects broader societal issues rooted in patriarchy. She noted that her organisation, Myself Defence NG, emerged to combat gender-based violence, but now faces an expanded battlefield as harmful behaviours migrate online. “There’s a study that says 60 to 70 per cent of women have been verbally insulted online,” Kosisochukwu said. “These things are a reflection of our patriarchal society. If not urgently addressed, online exploitation may escalate into an uncontrollable crisis.”
Oyeyemi shared insights on the patterns digital predators use to target girls, explaining that they often disguise themselves as friends or supporters. “When you think of ‘predator,’ you think of a monster, but most digital predators present themselves as intelligent and well-dressed individuals,” Oyeyemi said. “They build trust through social media interactions before manipulating their victims.”
Addressing the legal perspective, Gladys Matthew highlighted the absence of an explicit legal definition for “online predation” in Nigerian law. She defined it as the use of digital platforms to exploit, harass, or abuse minors, noting that existing laws such as the Cybercrimes Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act provide some protections.
Deborah Orji expanded on the legal framework, citing the Cybercrimes Act and the VAPP Act as key legislative tools currently available, although she stressed that more comprehensive protections are needed.
Social worker Silverline Wiro also drew from personal experience, sharing that early encounters with digital predators left lasting psychological scars. “After meeting someone through 2go and almost getting killed, it became hard for me to trust men,” she said, emphasising the urgent need for early education for children.
On the question of legal consequences, Gladys explained that under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, online harassment can attract a minimum of three years’ imprisonment and a fine of seven million naira. For crimes involving child pornography or exploitation, offenders could face up to ten years’ imprisonment with fines reaching twenty million naira, or both, depending on the severity of the offence.
Speakers also emphasised education as a frontline defence. Kosisochukwu urged parents to properly educate children before giving them digital devices. She advocated for outreach programmes in schools and the creative use of platforms like TikTok to reach younger audiences. “Before you hand them that iPad, educate them so they know what is what. There are ads on digital platforms that advertise things that are not appropriate for minors. If you can, check your child’s phone. There should be initiatives where we can go to schools and speak to them. We can put necessary information into videos on TikTok where these minors spend time,” she said.
In response to a question on media responsibility, Oyeyemi called on journalists to prioritise raising awareness and offering solutions rather than sensationalising cases of online abuse. “The media must focus on building consciousness about these dangers instead of chasing ‘hot news,'” Oyeyemi said.
Silverline advised parents to begin conversations about bodily autonomy as early as age two and to intensify digital safety education from age nine. She noted behavioural changes like mood swings as possible warning signs that a child may be experiencing online abuse.
Panini, a community organiser who joined the conversation, emphasised the importance of grassroots engagement. She encouraged participants to hold regular discussions with girls and even mothers in their communities and homes, stating, “We can be the glitch in the matrix that shifts the mindset.”
The space ended with a collective call for sustained community engagement, proactive education, stronger legal protections, and media responsibility to shield girls from growing digital threats.
