NCC study tasks MNOs on control of children’s access to adult’s content

LAGOS, Nigeria – A study commissioned by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC has called on Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the country to provide means through which parents and schools can control children’s access to content classified as suitable only for adult customers in equivalent media.

The call is part of the five recommendations made in a research commissioned by the telecommunications regulator, NCC.

Other recommendation includes classification of content in line with existing national standards of decency and appropriateness to identify content that is unsuitable for viewing by children.

The study, which was designed to examine current issues faced by young people and digital technology consistent with  the Child Online Protection Policy of the International Telecommunications Union, ITU also called on the mobile network operators to  work with the relevant law enforcement agencies to combat illegal content  on the internet  and work to raise awareness  and provide advice to parents on safer use of mobile services and ensure that customers have ready access to mechanism for  reporting safety concerns.

The MNOs were in addition told to provide advice and effective access to information regarding the use of mobile phones services and measures which can be taken by parents to ensure safer use by their children.

The NCC study also encourage MNOs to support  awareness- raising campaigns designed to improve the knowledge of their customers and encourage parents to become interested in the electronic media services used by their children.

The study by the telecoms regulator further advised MNOs to support the authorities in their fight against child pornography and organisations such as Save the Children in their efforts to report such content found on the internet.

The research also suggested that MNOs should  support the creation  of appropriate legally authorised national-take down procedures for such illegal child image content, including a commitment to liaise with law enforcement agencies; undertake not to insert promotional or advertising materials  in services targeted exclusively for children, where there are breaches  and support parents and guardians to ensure a safer mobile use by  children.