Egypt's Parliament Takes Action Against 'Digital Chaos' in Children's Social Media Use
In a significant move to safeguard its younger generation, Egypt's Parliament has announced plans to develop comprehensive legislation aimed at regulating children's access to social media platforms. This initiative comes in response to growing concerns over what lawmakers have termed "digital chaos" affecting the nation's youth.
Legislative Push for Digital Protection
The House of Representatives issued a formal statement late Sunday, declaring its commitment to crafting laws that will "put an end to the digital chaos our children are facing, and which negatively impacts their future." Parliamentarians will collaborate closely with government agencies and expert advisory bodies to draft protective legislation designed to shield Egyptian children from online risks that threaten their cognitive development and behavioral patterns.
Presidential Directive Spurs Action
This parliamentary action follows direct encouragement from President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who during a televised address on Saturday urged both his administration and legislators to consider adopting measures that restrict children's social media usage "until they reach an age when they can handle it properly." The president specifically referenced regulatory approaches being explored in Australia and the United Kingdom as potential models for Egypt's own framework.
Alarming Statistics Drive Urgency
The urgency behind this legislative push is underscored by concerning data from Egypt's National Center for Social and Criminological Research. Their 2024 report reveals that approximately 50% of Egyptian children under 18 actively use social media platforms, where they face significant exposure to:
- Harmful and inappropriate content
- Cyberbullying and online harassment
- Various forms of digital abuse
Global Context and Precedents
Egypt's regulatory consideration aligns with a growing international movement addressing children's digital safety. Several Western nations have recently implemented or proposed similar restrictions:
- Australia became the first country to enact a social media ban for children under 16 in December, sparking global discussions about technology's impact on youth mental health, privacy, and development.
- United Kingdom authorities are actively considering banning young teenagers from social media while strengthening existing child protection laws regarding harmful content and excessive screen time.
- France has accelerated its legislative process under President Emmanuel Macron's direction, aiming to implement a social media prohibition for children under 15 by the start of the upcoming academic year in September.
These international developments have created what experts describe as a "regulatory domino effect" across multiple continents, with nations increasingly recognizing the need for structured digital boundaries for younger users.
Balancing Protection and Development
As Egypt moves forward with its legislative drafting process, lawmakers face the complex challenge of creating regulations that effectively protect children while acknowledging the educational and social benefits that responsible digital engagement can provide. The proposed legislation aims to establish clear guidelines that help parents and educators navigate the digital landscape while ensuring Egyptian youth develop healthy relationships with technology.
The parliamentary statement emphasized that the ultimate goal is not merely restriction but creating a safer digital environment where children can benefit from technological advancements without being exposed to the documented risks associated with unregulated social media access.
