Egypt's Parliament Initiates Legislation to Shield Minors from Social Media Risks

Cairo. Egypt's parliament has begun efforts to enact legislation to protect adolescents from the risks associated with social media. Lawmakers stated they are seeking measures to regulate children's use of social media against 'digital anarchy,' taking into account the steps being adopted by Western countries.

A statement issued by the House of Representatives on Sunday mentioned that the new law will control the digital insecurity and risk of uncontrolled content faced by children, ensuring it does not negatively affect their future.

Legislators announced they will proceed with drafting the law in consultation with the government and expert bodies to 'protect Egyptian children from any digital risks that endanger their thoughts and behavior.'

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi had urged his government and parliament on Saturday to create laws limiting children's use of social media. He cited efforts made in other countries, such as Australia and the UK, to protect children from social media as examples.

A 2024 report from the National Center for Social and Criminological Research noted that approximately 50 percent of children under 18 in Egypt use social media platforms. These children are consistently exposed to potential harmful content, cyberbullying, and other forms of abuse.

Last December, Australia became the first country to ban children under 16 from accessing social media. This move sparked a broad debate concerning technology use, privacy, child safety, and mental health, inspiring other nations to adopt similar measures.

The UK government is also considering restricting adolescents from social media by tightening its laws to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time. French President Emmanuel Macron has directed his government to expedite the legal process to ensure a social media ban applicable to children under 15 can be implemented starting from the next school year in September.