MTN Nigeria To Host Youth-Led Safety Event

MTN Nigeria is set to host its youth-led safety event as part of the Help Children Be Children (HCBC) campaign, the techco’s flagship child online safety initiative.

HCBC promotes healthier digital choices and experiences for teenagers and young adults navigating today’s digital world. Through this initiative, MTN continues to champion digital responsibility, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive safely in today’s connected world.

The event will feature honest, youth-driven conversations on key digital challenges such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and mental health. It will also encourage safer online behaviour and welcome parents, caregivers, educators, and advocates whose voices help strengthen the movement.

To support efforts on the HCBC campaign, MTN partnered with MTV Base to launch MTV Base Room of Safety, a 10-part educational video series that premiered on July 20, 2025, on social platforms. Through relatable storytelling and youth-led content, the series aims to spark dialogue, raise awareness, and equip young people with the tools to navigate online risks confidently. With its multi-platform distribution, the campaign aims to reach millions of young Africans, catalyse community conversations, and influence safer digital behaviour across the continent.

“At MTN, we believe that every child deserves a safe and protected childhood. Our support for the HCBC event reflects our deep commitment to safeguarding the online experiences and well-being of our children,” said Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria.

A 2024 study commissioned by MTN and conducted by IPSOS revealed that over 70% of children aged 8 to 17 have internet access, bringing both learning opportunities and safety risks. Among 514 children surveyed in Lagos:

• 32% spoke with strangers online,

• 23% shared personal information,

• 18% met someone in person whom they first encountered online,

• 6% reported online harassment, but only 36% received psychological support.

The research also found that girls were more likely to engage in risky online behaviour, and children whose parents had no internet rules were nearly 10 times more likely to participate in dangerous online activities.

As part of its broader protection efforts, MTN has implemented practical solutions that go beyond awareness to action. This includes a dedicated reporting portal, accessible via https://report.iwf.org.uk/mtn, where individuals can anonymously report child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Reports are reviewed by expert analysts, and, in many cases, harmful content is removed within an hour.

The event will feature panel discussions and interactive sessions led by young advocates, focusing on digital resilience, stronger reporting systems, and collaboration between the private sector, civil society, and government.