Google has committed $600,000 to support Nigeria’s first nationwide study of teenagers’ internet usage and the digital risks they face, in a move aimed at promoting safer internet access and responsible technology adoption among young people. The initiative, supported through Google.org, the company’s philanthropic arm, will be implemented by the TechSocietal Development Foundation and will combine research with digital safety education for teachers, parents and caregivers.

The funding package comprises $550,000 in direct funding and $50,000 in Google Ad Grants. Under the programme, TechSocietal will conduct a baseline survey involving 2,000 adolescents across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to examine their online experiences, usage patterns and exposure to digital threats. The foundation will also deliver its Safety First curriculum to 5,000 teachers and school administrators, while training 200 community champions expected to extend online safety awareness to as many as 10,000 parents and caregivers.

In a related development, Google is introducing its Meet LEO (Learn and Explore Online) programme to Nigeria, marking its first pilot in Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative, to be delivered by Tech Hive Advisory across four states, will train 500 educators and youth leaders to promote responsible internet use and equip them with practical digital protection tools, including Google Family Link, SafeSearch and YouTube Supervised Experiences. The trained participants are expected to extend the knowledge to another 2,500 students and community members.

Google Nigeria Country Director, Olumide Balogun, said protecting children online should not deprive them of the educational and developmental opportunities offered by digital technology, stressing the importance of collaboration among technology companies, government, schools and families. The intervention comes against the backdrop of growing concerns about online threats to children, with consultations by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission indicating that 93.5 per cent of Nigerians are concerned about online harms affecting minors. The study is expected to provide evidence that could guide digital safety policies, educational interventions and responsible internet use among Nigerian teenagers.