Feb. 14, 2025
A new report has identified X as the leading platform for online harm in Nigeria, with 34 per cent of users reporting negative experiences such as cyber bullying, misinformation, and harassment.
Ms. Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Lead at Gatefield, disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.
The State of Online Harms in Nigeria report, which was conducted by Gatefield, with support from Luminate, highlights the growing risks associated with social media use in the country.
Ewang said that the study, which surveyed over 500 Nigerians, found that women and young people aged 25–34 were disproportionately affected, with 58 per cent experiencing some form of online abuse.
She said that despite widespread reports of harmful content, 31 per cent of Nigerians said that such content is never removed, raising concerns about the effectiveness of content moderation by major tech companies.
She stressed the need for stronger interventions.
“These findings are not just statistics, they represent real people facing online abuse, misinformation, and harassment every day.
“Tech platforms must do more to protect users, and policymakers need to step in where platforms fail,” she said.
She said that the report also highlighted that while 60 per cent of Nigerians have reported online harm, most believe no action was taken.
“X was ranked as the worst offender, followed by Facebook (29 per cent) and WhatsApp (12 per cent).
“Meanwhile, Instagram was found to be the most responsive platform, with 26 per cent of respondents saying it effectively addresses complaints,” she said.
She said that the lack of transparency in content moderation and accountability among tech giants remained a major concern.
“Many Nigerians believe these platforms are profiting from users without ensuring their safety,” she said .
She said that beyond online abuse, misinformation was flagged as the biggest digital threat in Nigeria, with 99 per cent of respondents identifying fake news as a major concern.
She said that 91 per cent of Nigerians believe that big tech has too much power over democracy, raising fears about the role of digital platforms in shaping public opinion and governance.
Also, digital rights advocates called for stronger policies to regulate content moderation and ensure that tech companies are held accountable.
As Nigeria continues to navigate the digital age, the report calls for urgent action from social media companies, civil society organisations, and policymakers to protect citizens from online harm and ensure a safer digital space.(NAN)
