Egypt to restrict children’s social media use

Egypt's Parliament is currently evaluating the regulation of children's use of social media platforms. This initiative aims to address what lawmakers have termed "digital chaos." The House of Representatives announced plans to draft legislation intended to regulate children's social media use, thereby mitigating negative impacts on their future.

The proposed legislation will be developed in consultation with the government and expert bodies to safeguard Egyptian children from potential risks that could affect their thoughts and behavior.

This statement follows President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's call on Saturday for government and lawmakers to consider legislation that would restrict children's access to social media until they are deemed capable of handling it responsibly.

President el-Sissi highlighted the efforts of countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom, which are exploring similar restrictions or bans on children's use of social media.

According to a 2024 report by the National Center for Social and Criminological Research, approximately 50% of children under 18 in Egypt use social media platforms. These platforms expose them to harmful content, cyberbullying, and abuse.

In December, Australia implemented a social media ban for children under 16, sparking discussions on technology use, privacy, child safety, and mental health. This development has led other countries to consider similar measures.

The British government is contemplating a ban on young teenagers from social media and plans to tighten laws to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.

Additionally, French President Emmanuel Macron has urged for expedited legal processes to enforce a social media ban for children under 15 by the start of the new school year in September.

Based on reporting by Africanews.