New Media, Civic Participation, and the Enforcement of Child Rights Policies: A Survey of Civil Society Organisations in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Uduak Obot Akpan and Idaraobong Uduak Akpan

Abstract

Persistent child labour, trafficking, and inadequate access to justice have continued to decimate the future of children in developing nations including Nigeria. The list of forced underage marriages, sex labour, teenage pregnancies and underage maternal mortality swells unabated. The helpless Children bear the pangs with ignorance consequent upon ineffective implementation of Child’s rights policies. This study examined the role of new media and civil society organisations (CSOs) in civic participation and the enforcement of child rights policies in Uyo. The study was anchored on Public Sphere theory. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected through questionnaire and interviews from 50 respondents across five purposively selected CSOs. Findings indicate that Facebook and WhatsApp are the most commonly used platforms for advocacy; with civic participation reported as moderate and inconsistent. Major challenges include limited funding, weak government support, and low public awareness. The study concludes that new media is effective to some extent in promoting awareness, but less impactful in driving enforcement outcomes. Therefore, the study suggests strengthened public engagement, stronger institutional collaboration, improved funding, and digital literacy as necessities to translate online participation into concrete enforcement of child rights policies.

Keywords: new media, civic participation, enforcement, Child rights, civil societyorganisation

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