MTN, in partnership with MTV Base, has launched Room of Safety, a youth-led initiative aimed at raising awareness about online child safety and promoting positive digital behavior across Africa.
The centerpiece of the campaign is a 10-part short-form series premiering July 20, 2025, on MTV Base (DStv channel 322) and social platforms. It features relatable storytelling led by Paramount’s Craig Nobela and a cast of young African influencers, with the goal of sparking dialogue and equipping youth to navigate online risks.
The initiative is part of MTN’s Help Children Be Children campaign and uses MTV’s broad digital and television reach to promote safer online habits among Africa’s youth.
Recent research by Ipsos and MTN highlights the urgency of this campaign:
- 1 in 10 children in Nigeria and South Sudan reported online harassment.
- 20% of South Sudanese children said they were bullied online.
- 30–40% of teens reported adding strangers to messaging apps.
- In Juba, children online for over an hour daily are 17 times more likely to engage in risky behavior.
In response, MTN is also expanding digital safety infrastructure, supporting national reporting portals and helplines, and helping make the Africa Online Safety Portal more accessible. Currently, only 20–22% of children are aware of these tools—yet over 80% want ways to report abuse directly.
“Access must go hand-in-hand with protection,” said Marina Madale, Executive of Sustainability at MTN. “Room of Safety amplifies youth voices to create a safer, more conscious digital future.”
Monde Twala, SVP at Paramount Africa, added, “We’re empowering young people to navigate the digital world safely and confidently. This partnership ensures their voices are heard.”
MTN and MTV Base are urging parents, educators, and leaders to join the movement and build a safer digital future for Africa’s next generation.