MTN Nigeria Launches Initiative To Promote Online Safety For Children

MTN Nigeria has launched the ‘Help Children, the Children’ campaign, a flagship initiative designed to provide teenagers and young adults with a healthier and safer digital experience.

The campaign is part of MTN’s efforts to prioritise online safety and empower young people to navigate the digital world confidently.

Speaking at the campaign event held in Lagos, the general manager of Regulatory Affairs at MTN Nigeria, Ikenna Ikeme said that “we are focusing on creating a safe and balanced digital environment for our young people.”

He said the digital world offers incredible opportunities for learning, creativity, and global connections, explaining that “our goal is simple: to ensure that every individual, including children and youth, can benefit from a modern and connected platform. While we recognize the positive aspects of the internet, we must also acknowledge the challenges it presents.”

According to Ikeme, at MTN, we are proud to stand behind this important initiative as part of our ‘Help Children Be Children’ campaign. By supporting platforms like MTV Base, we are backing young people to lead the way, on their terms, with their own voices, toward a safer, more empowering digital future.

“Our flagship initiative, the Help Children, the Children Campaign, is designed to provide teenagers and young adults with a healthier and safer digital experience.

“To gain insights into the challenges faced by young people online, we partnered with the agency outsource, which conducted extensive research in Nigeria. The findings were eye-opening, revealing concerns such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and increasing mental health issues. This research motivates us to share crucial messages and take action.”

He added that “we are committed to strengthening our safeguards to protect children and young adults online. This includes blocking access to harmful materials, supporting law enforcement, and providing safe, confidential avenues for reporting harmful content through the Internet Watch Foundation.”

He noted that “it is crucial to understand that online safety is a shared responsibility. It requires the involvement of everyone; regulators, policymakers, guardians, and the entire community. Each one of us can advocate for online safety, contributing to fostering a digital environment where children can explore, create, and connect freely.”

The senior vice president and GM of Paramount Africa, Monde Twala stated that “we must focus on creating a digital landscape that not only opens up opportunities for young Africans but also fosters connectivity and shared learning experiences.

“While social media has many benefits, it is also essential to safeguard against issues like online harassment and harmful content. The Room of Safety initiative represents a pivotal step for both MTN and the MTV and Paramount brands in promoting a positive movement.”

He disclosed that “we envision this partnership as just the beginning of a larger movement and a call to action. Through this series, we aim to address critical issues affecting young people, encourage their participation, and foster meaningful dialogue among families. It is an opportunity to create alignment between parents and their children, while also cultivating a culture of accountability.”