MTN and MTV Base Launch Room of Safety Campaign to Protect African Youth Online
MTN, Africa’s leading mobile network operator, has partnered with MTV Base, Africa’s number one youth and pop culture platform, to launch Room of Safety—a youth-led initiative aimed at raising awareness about online child safety and promoting positive digital behaviours across the continent.
What Is Room of Safety?
Room of Safety is a 10-part short-form video series premiering on 20 July 2025 at 15:00 on MTV Base (DStv channel 322) and MTV Base South and MTVBaseAfrica social media platforms.
The series features real stories and expert advice to empower African youth with the knowledge and tools to navigate online risks such as:
- AI misuse
- Online stalking
- Cyberbullying
- Online harassment
The show is hosted by Paramount’s Culture Squad member Craig Nobela and features African influencers like Yanda Woods, LordKez, Foyin Ongunrombi, Azana, MajorSteez, Melissa Nayimuli, Mawelele, and Naledi.
Why Online Child Safety in Africa Matters
Recent Ipsos research commissioned by MTN reveals concerning statistics about African youth’s online behaviour:
- 1 in 10 children in Nigeria and South Sudan reported online harassment.
- 20% of South Sudanese children reported online bullying.
- 79% of Nigerian adolescents aged 13–17 spend over an hour online daily.
- 30–40% of teens across Nigeria, South Sudan, and Zambia admit to adding strangers to messaging apps.
- Children in Juba who spend more than an hour online daily are 17 times more likely to engage in risky behaviour.
These numbers highlight the urgent need for digital education, child protection mechanisms, and safer online environments across Africa.
MTN’s Help Children Be Children Initiative
The Room of Safety campaign is part of MTN’s broader Help Children Be Children initiative. Beyond raising awareness, MTN is taking direct action to:
- Strengthen in-country reporting portals and child helplines.
- Make the Africa Online Safety Portal accessible across African countries lacking national platforms.
- Enable reporting of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) for quick takedown.
With over 80% of children wanting service providers to offer abuse reporting channels, MTN’s commitment aims to bridge this critical gap.
Statements from MTN and MTV Base
Marina Madale, Executive Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Group, said:
“At MTN, we believe access must go hand-in-hand with protection. Through Room of Safety, we’re amplifying young voices to create a safer, more conscious digital future.”
Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and GM of Editorial, Paramount Africa, added:
“For two decades, MTV Base has spotlighted youth issues. With Room of Safety, we’re empowering young people to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.”
Multi-Platform Distribution and Community Impact
Room of Safety is set to reach millions of young Africans through:
- TV broadcast on MTV Base (DStv channel 322).
- Digital distribution via MTVBaseSouth and MTVBaseAfrica social media handles.
By combining storytelling with actionable advice, MTN and MTV Base aim to catalyse conversations in homes, schools, and communities across Africa.
Call to Action: Building a Safer Digital Africa
MTN and MTV Base are calling on:
- Youth
- Parents
- Educators
- Government leaders
…to join in protecting African children online. Key focus areas include:
- Closing the data gap on online child safety.
- Fast-tracking digital safety regulations.
- Scaling digital literacy programs in schools.
- Strengthening multi-sector collaboration to tackle emerging online threats like AI misuse.
Conclusion
The MTN and MTV Base Room of Safety campaign is more than just a series—it’s a movement for online child safety across Africa. By empowering young people and their supporters with the right tools and platforms, this partnership marks a significant step toward a safer digital future for Africa’s next generation.
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