Lagos moves to sanction content creators over child rights violations

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

LAGOS — The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development (MYSD) in partnership with the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), has raised concerns over the violation of children’s rights by content creators, skit makers, influencers, and digital media producers, both online and offline.

The government stressed the need to protect children’s rights across all media platforms, emphasizing that minors must not be exploited for content that could harm their dignity, safety, or well-being.

Permanent Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Adeniyi-Vivour, noted that while digital platforms offer opportunities for creativity, storytelling, and economic empowerment, they also pose risks when children are involved in inappropriate content.

“Children are a vulnerable group and must be protected from exposure to abuse, exploitation, and unsafe situations, whether intentional or unintended,” Adeniyi-Vivour said. “Involving minors in content depicting abuse, sexual themes, harmful stereotypes, or unsafe scenarios is unethical and violates laws designed to safeguard children.”

She further warned that content creators must consider the long-term psychological, emotional, and social impact on children, as well as the legal consequences for producing or sharing such content.

Adeniyi-Vivour, a lawyer, highlighted relevant legal provisions, noting that under Nigerian law, creating, distributing, or profiting from content that sexualizes, abuses, or endangers minors is a criminal offence.

“These acts violate Section 25(1) of the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State (2015), which prohibits exploitative labour of a child, and Section 26, which prohibits child abuse. Sections 135-139 and 141 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015) also address sexual offences against children,” she stated.

The state government has therefore indicated its readiness to sanction offenders and ensure strict compliance with child protection laws.

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