In Lagos, 56% of teenagers 13-17 reported meeting people in person whom they had initially encountered online—a statistic that outpaced Lusaka (33%) and Juba (54%).
A comprehensive survey conducted across three African cities—Lagos (Nigeria), Lusaka (Zambia), and Juba (South Sudan)—has shed light on the complex and evolving risks children face in the digital landscape.
The study by MTN and Ipsos, which gathered data from over 1,500 children aged 8 to 17, paints a stark picture of how internet access and online behaviours intersect to create vulnerabilities for young users.
The survey revealed significant security concerns in all three cities, with stark differences in the nature and extent of risks.
In Lagos, for instance, 10% of children aged 8 to 17 reported experiencing harassment online, a figure mirrored in Juba but lower than in Lusaka, where 5% of children faced harassment. Bullying appeared particularly pervasive in Juba, where 20% of children reported being bullied online, compared to 5% in both Lagos and Lusaka.
One of the most concerning findings was the high percentage of adolescents aged 13 to 17 engaging in risky online behaviours (ROB).
In Lagos, 56% of teenagers in this age group reported meeting people in person whom they had initially encountered online—a statistic that outpaced Lusaka (33%) and Juba (54%).
For the younger age group (8 – 12), 7% say they met people, they previously met online, and physically. The figure is double in Lusaka, 14%, and significantly lower in Juba, 35%.
These risky interactions often begin innocuously.
MTN-Ipsos children safety report
IMG: MTN
In Lagos, 40% of adolescents admitted to adding strangers to their instant messenger lists. This is slightly higher than Lusaka and Juba with 30% each.
This behaviour not only facilitates direct contact with potential predators but also exposes children to exploitation through personal information sharing.
Profile of Vulnerable Children
The survey highlighted several key factors influencing children’s likelihood of engaging in risky behaviours:
Parental engagement: In Lagos, children whose parents did not enforce internet rules were 9–10 times more likely to engage in risky behaviours compared to those with rules in other places.
Gender dynamics: Female children were identified as being disproportionately vulnerable. In Nigeria, they were between 6.79 and 21.42 times more likely than male peers to engage in risky online behaviours.
Frequency of use: Daily internet users were at significantly higher risk compared to those who accessed the internet weekly.
Platforms of concern
The survey also identified specific platforms where children were most vulnerable to harassment and exploitation.
In Lagos, popular platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and chat sites were significantly associated with cases of bullying and harassment.
This trend is similar in Lusaka and Juba, although the prevalence of harassment on platforms like X and Gmail is also notable in the latter.
Despite the prevalence of these risks, awareness of reporting mechanisms remains strikingly low.
Only 22% of children in Lagos were aware of existing online child protection portals, even though 81% expressed a desire for internet service providers to create avenues for reporting abuse.
This disconnect underscores the urgent need for education and awareness campaigns to empower children and families.
A snapshot of Lagos children online
The demographic profile of the Lagos study participants (514) showed a balanced gender distribution (51% female and 49% male), with most children falling into the 13–17 age group (51%).
The majority of respondents accessed the Internet through their parents’ phones (78%) or mobile data bundles (55%). Alarmingly, 59% of children reported going online daily, spending between one and five hours each day engaging in various online activities.
Key risks and vulnerabilities
The study found that children in Lagos are exposed to a variety of online risks, including:
Cyberbullying: 5% of respondents reported being bullied online.
Online harassment: 6% of children disclosed experiencing harassment, with only 36% of those receiving psychosocial support for the trauma.
Risky behaviours:
MTN-Ipsos children safety report
IMG: MTN
18% admitted to adding strangers to their contact lists.
32% had spoken to strangers they met online.
7% engaged in conversations about sex with online acquaintances.
23% shared personal information such as addresses and phone numbers.
One male respondent shared, “A guy asked me to send him a picture of my private part,” highlighting the predatory risks lurking online.
The role of parents and guardians
Parental involvement emerged as a significant factor in reducing risky online behaviour. According to the study:
81% of children reported that their parents had rules about internet use.
Among children without parental rules, there was a 9x higher likelihood of engaging in risky behaviours.
While 84% of children expressed a desire to talk more about internet safety with their parents, only 44% had regular conversations on the topic.
Children’s views on safety and reporting mechanisms
When asked about online safety, 85% of children reported feeling safe online, while 2% admitted to constant fear. However, awareness of reporting mechanisms remains low:
Only 24% of children knew about Nigeria’s online child protection portal.
89% believed that internet service providers should provide avenues to report cyberbullying and abuse.
Lusaka
With 523 participants aged 8 to 17, the surveyed children represented a balanced gender split: 51% female and 49% male.
A majority of respondents (94%) were enrolled in school, with most attending primary (69%) or secondary school (29%).
Almost all (98%) had access to electricity, allowing widespread internet use. Mobile data bundles were the primary means of connectivity for 94% of respondents, with home Wi-Fi used by only 7%.
Time spent online and activities
Children in Lusaka are frequent internet users, with 64% accessing the internet weekly and 28% daily.
MTN-Ipsos children safety report
IMG: MTN
The younger group, aged 8–12, tended to spend less than an hour online each day (31%), while older children, aged 13–17, were more likely to spend one to five hours online (22%).
The most common activities included entertainment (79%), schoolwork (67%), and communicating with friends (46%). Platforms like TikTok (62%), YouTube (60%), and Google (55%) dominated their digital time.
Risks and vulnerabilities
The survey revealed worrying patterns of risky online behaviours among children in Lusaka:
26% added strangers to their contact lists.
37% engaged in conversations with online acquaintances.
24% met people in person whom they initially encountered online.
8% admitted discussing sexual topics with strangers online.
27% shared personal information such as phone numbers and addresses.
Bullying and harassment were prevalent, with 9% of respondents reporting harassment and 5% experiencing online bullying. Children recounted incidents ranging from receiving negative comments on photos to being pressured to join harmful groups.
Parental involvement
Parental rules significantly influence children’s online safety. Among respondents, 66% reported having internet use rules at home, with 52% facing access restrictions and 48% dealing with time limits. Despite this, 37% of children never discussed internet safety with their parents, indicating a communication gap.
Juba
The survey of 528 Juba children revealed a relatively even gender distribution, with 53% male and 47% female participants. Most respondents (54%) were teenagers aged 13 to 17, and nearly all (97%) were enrolled in school. While internet access is growing, only 51% of children reported having electricity at home, reflecting infrastructural gaps even as digital connectivity expands.
Online behaviours and risks
Children in Juba access the internet primarily through mobile data bundles (61%) or their parents’ phones (29%). Daily online engagement is high, with 48% of participants going online daily. While platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Google dominate usage, the risks of online interaction loom large.
Risky activities include:
Adding strangers: 25% admitted adding strangers to their contact lists.
Engaging in conversations: 51% reported chatting with people they met online.
Meeting strangers offline: 45% had met someone in person they first encountered online.
Sharing personal information: 37% shared sensitive details like phone numbers or addresses.
Parental involvement and its gaps
While 60% of parents have set rules for internet use, the enforcement varies. Boys were less likely to face restrictions than girls, potentially due to gendered perceptions of risk. Conversations about internet safety also lagged:
36% of children reported never discussing their online activities with parents.
66% expressed a willingness to engage more with their parents about safety concerns.
Online harassment and abuse
The survey uncovered alarming levels of harassment and abuse:
MTN-Ipsos children safety report
IMG: MTN
Harassment: 13% reported being harassed online.
Bullying: 16% experienced online bullying or abuse.
Some children shared troubling accounts:
“They made bad comments about my pictures on Facebook because of how I looked,” a female respondent revealed.
Another respondent received threats, such as, “If not, you will die.”
Recommendations for Safer Digital Spaces
The study offers actionable recommendations aimed at mitigating these risks and protecting children online:
1. Strengthen legal frameworks: Develop laws targeting online exploitation and set a clear legal age for digital consent.
2. Enhance parental involvement: Equip parents with training on internet safety and encourage open discussions with children about their online activities.
3. Improve education: Introduce online safety education in schools to teach children the risks of sharing personal information and interacting with strangers.
4. Increase reporting accessibility: Partner with internet service providers to create user-friendly mechanisms for reporting cyberbullying and abuse.
5. Foster collaboration: Engage governments, NGOs, and tech companies in developing and promoting safety features for digital platforms.
The survey concludes that protecting children in Africa’s fast-evolving digital landscape requires a multi-stakeholder approach, combining legal, educational, and technological interventions.
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