The Lagos State Government has issued warning against online creation of unsafe and undignifying contents relating to children warning that indulgers of the act would be prosecuted.
The government cautioned content creators, skit makers and other netizens to imbibe the contents of the Child Right Law, stating that artistic expression and creativity must never override the fundamental rights of minors who are to be protected both online and off the internet.
The executive arm disclosed that materials involving children should be educative and moral inclining to help bolster the young ones academically and also as they face challenges of life on their prime.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner of Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende on Monday, the state bemoaned the growing spike in the violation of the law, adding that the online works, which do go viral, have been of abuses, sexual themes, harmful stereotypes, all unethical in the society.
“The Lagos State Ministry of Youth & Social Development (MYSD), in partnership with the Domestic & Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), seeks to draw the attention of content creators, skit makers, influencers, and digital media producers to the importance of safeguarding the rights of children across all forms of online and offline content,” the statement, released on Monday reads.
“In recent times, the growing influence of digital platforms has created opportunities for creativity, storytelling, and economic empowerment,it added and continued, “Children are a vulnerable group and must be protected from exposure to abuse, exploitation, and inappropriate situations, whether intentional or unintended.
“Involving minors in content that depicts abuse, sexual themes, harmful stereotypes, or unsafe scenarios is not only unethical but also contrary to existing laws designed to protect children.”
On the laws against the unwanted act, it continued,“Section 25(1) of the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State, 2015, prohibits exploitative labour of a child, and Section 26 prohibits child abuse.
“Sections 135-139; 141 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015), which address sexual offences against children.”
It added, “The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (2015), Section 23, which prohibits child pornography and related offences, and Section 24 prohibits cyberstalking and online harassment of persons.
“Section 32 of the Child’s Rights Act, which makes it an offence to sexually abuse or exploit children and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of fourteen years.”
It also urged the public to report instances of child exploitation on digital platforms to necessary agencies.
