Rethinking entrepreneurship strategies of child actors in Nollywood for national development in the era of cyber insecurity: A proactive communication model approach

Abstract

Abstract Nollywood, Nigeria's globally recognised film industry, increasingly relies on child actors who are leveraging digital platforms for entrepreneurship, thereby contributing significantly to national development. However, their ventures are severely undermined by pervasive cyber insecurity, including cyberbullying, identity impersonation, and financial scams, while current protective strategies remain dangerously reactive and inadequate. This study addresses this critical gap by analysing the specific cyber threats impacting child actors, evaluating the efficacy of their existing entrepreneurial approaches in mitigating these risks, and examining how a proactive communication model can foster digital resilience. Anchored on Protection Motivation Theory and the Teno proactive communication model for job creation in Nigeria, this qualitative research employed in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including child actors, parents, industry executives, and cybersecurity experts. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that while digital platforms offer immense opportunities, they expose young talents to severe harm, with current protective measures failing due to low threat perception and coping abilities. Findings indicate a unanimous call from participants for a systemic shift towards a proactive, communication-centred framework that includes mandatory digital literacy training, clear industry-wide protocols, and a robust support system. The study concludes that rethinking entrepreneurial strategies through a proactive communication lens is essential for safeguarding child actors' welfare and harnessing their full potential for national development. It makes a unique contribution by applying the Teno proactive communication model for job creation in Nigeria to offer a novel, tangible framework for building sustainable and secure careers for a vulnerable, yet vital, demographic in the creative economy. Key Words; Nollywood Film, Entrepreneurship, National Development, Cyber Insecurity, Child Actors About the Author * Timothy Ekeledirichukwu Onyejelem, Ph.D., is of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, Special Issue 4, January 2026, pp. 38-52. © Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON). Article Citation Onyejelem, T. E. (2026). Rethinking entrepreneurship strategies of child actors in Nollywood for national development in the era of cyber insecurity: A proactive communication model approach. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 18 (1, SP.4): 38-52. Full Article Words: 7,898 Pages: 15 To access full article, click on download.