In a powerful new initiative aimed at addressing growing concerns around online safety, MTN and MTV Base have joined forces to launch “Room of Safety”, a 10-part youth-led series designed to educate and empower young Africans navigating the digital world.
The short-form series premieres on 20 July 2025 at 15:00 GMT on MTV Base (DStv channel 322) and across MTV Base’s social media platforms. It forms part of MTN’s broader “Help Children Be Children” campaign, which promotes safe digital habits and responsible internet use among children and teenagers.
Engaging Africa’s Youth Through Storytelling
“Room of Safety” presents real-life scenarios and peer-led narratives that resonate with young audiences. The series stars Craig Nobela from Paramount’s Culture Squad alongside notable young influencers including Yanda Woods, LordKez, Foyin Ongunrombi, Azana, MajorSteez, Melissa Nayimuli, Mawelele, and Naledi.
“As technology evolves, access must be balanced with protection,” said Marina Madale, MTN Group Executive for Sustainability and Shared Value. “Through this partnership, we’re giving young people the platform to lead the conversation on online safety.”
Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Paramount Africa, said:
“For 20 years, MTV Base has addressed youth issues head-on. With ‘Room of Safety’, we’re continuing that mission—helping young people stay safe, confident, and informed online.”
A Growing Concern: Online Safety in Africa
The campaign comes in response to rising digital threats. Research conducted by Ipsos and MTN across Nigeria, South Sudan, and Zambia revealed that:
- 1 in 10 children in Nigeria and South Sudan have experienced online harassment
- 20% of South Sudanese children reported being bullied online
- In Nigeria, 79% of teens (ages 13–17) spend over an hour online daily
- 30–40% of teens have added strangers to messaging apps
- In Juba, children online for over an hour daily are 17 times more likely to engage in risky online behavior
These statistics underscore the urgent need for improved digital education and safer online ecosystems.
Turning Awareness Into Action
MTN is going beyond awareness by investing in solutions that address these challenges directly:
- Supporting child helplines and online safety reporting systems
- Expanding reach of the Africa Online Safety Portal
- Enabling the reporting and rapid removal of harmful content such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM), often within an hour
Although just 20–22% of children know about child protection portals, over 80% say they want ways to report online abuse—highlighting a serious gap the campaign seeks to close.
Building a Safer Digital Future
Adwoa Wiafe, MTN Ghana’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, emphasized that the campaign is not only for youth, but also for caregivers, educators, and communities.
“This platform creates a much-needed space for young people to talk about their online experiences. It’s a strategic enabler for trust, dialogue, and digital resilience.”
A Continental Call to Action
MTN and MTV Base are urging parents, policymakers, educators, and young people to take joint action against rising digital threats—especially with emerging risks like AI misuse and online exploitation.
“This isn’t just a series—it’s a movement,” said campaign organizers. “Let’s come together to protect the next generation and create a safer digital Africa.”
