Virtually Safe
Programs

Programs Report

A comprehensive overview of Virtually Safe's programmes, impact, and reach across Nigeria — grounded in data from our 2024 school tour and programme activities.

Our Programs at a Glance

Virtually Safe runs a range of targeted programmes designed to address online safety from multiple angles — education, advocacy, technology, and community engagement. Our 2024 school tour covered 437 schools across 22 states with over 600 volunteers facilitating online safety lessons and distributing toolkits to students and teachers.

Educating young people on how they can navigate the internet to ensure they are protected, respected, and empowered online is our mission — and the data from our programmes shows both the scale of the challenge and the impact of our response.

2024 Impact at a Glance

Data from our 2024 school tour research — 437 schools across 22 states, baseline and endline assessments completed by students nationwide.

437

Schools reached in 2024 school tour

70,000+

Students trained across 22 states

85%

Of young people agree internet carries significant risks

90%

Have felt bad about an online interaction

15%

Knew they could report online harm to a trusted adult

39%

Of young people surveyed have betted online

98%

Have seen inappropriate or annoying adverts while browsing

600+

Volunteers trained and deployed in 2024

Key Research Findings

Top online safety concerns identified by young people

1.Cyberbullying2.Pornography3.Online Betting4.Online Grooming5.Internet Fraud6.Hacking

Most used apps and platforms among Nigerian youth

1.TikTok2.Instagram3.WhatsApp4.Google5.YouTube6.Snapchat7.Telegram8.Call of Duty

Top inappropriate ads reported by young people

1.Sexual content2.Betting adverts3.Dating apps4.Forex trading5.Groomers soliciting images

What the Data Tells Us

While 85% of young people agree the internet carries significant risks and 90% understand the concept of online safety, awareness alone is not enough — most young people are unprepared to handle online harms when they occur.

Only 15% of young people surveyed knew they could report online harm to a trusted adult or their parents. When asked what they would do if the internet affected their mental health, 90% were unsure or didn't know what to do.

39% of young people have betted online despite laws prohibiting underage gambling — and only 3% of that number have ever won a bet. Nearly all (98%) have encountered inappropriate or annoying adverts while browsing. These findings underscore the urgent, ongoing need for structured digital safety education in Nigerian schools.

📄

Download Programs Report

Full programme report including school tour data, baseline/endline research findings, and impact metrics from Virtually Safe's 2024 activities.

Download PDF