In a statement, the NCCM said regulating children’s use of mobile phones, social media platforms, and electronic games is a core pillar of Egypt’s unified national child protection policies, citing the rapid expansion of the digital environment and the growing risks associated with unsafe online use.
The Council urged authorities and stakeholders to draw on leading international experiences and adopt a balanced approach that allows children to benefit from the positive aspects of the internet while enhancing oversight of content provided to minors to shield them from potential harm.
It also urged a ban on exposing children to harmful or age-inappropriate content, as well as any form of online bullying, blackmail, or digital exploitation.
The Council also called for a ban on photographing children, circulating their images or personal data, or communicating with them through digital platforms outside officially approved and lawful frameworks.
It added that protecting children online should not be limited to responding after harm occurs, but must begin with prevention and awareness, through promoting safe and responsible use of technology and raising awareness among children, families, and institutions about digital risks, protection mechanisms, and reporting channels.
The NCCM’s statement comes as it joins an ongoing national debate that has recently gained momentum in parliament and at the presidential level over the impact of the digital space on children and adolescents.
Several members of parliament have raised concerns about the unchecked use of smartphones, social media platforms, and electronic games by children, warning of their social, psychological, and educational effects.
MPs have called for clearer legislative frameworks to regulate children’s online exposure, strengthen parental control tools, and hold digital platforms accountable for content targeting minors.
The House of Representatives said on Sunday that the state is moving toward drafting legislation to regulate children’s use of social media platforms and applications, adding that parliament will hold expanded societal dialogue sessions through its specialized committees to gather views from all relevant state institutions.
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has urged the government and parliament to examine international experiences, including Australia’s restrictions on mobile phone use for certain age groups, during a speech marking the 74th anniversary of Police Day in Cairo.
In its statement, the NCCM called on families, educational and social institutions, and child service providers to step up monitoring and early detection of digital risks, and to intervene promptly to protect children.
The Council highlighted the importance of reporting any violations or suspected cases of online abuse through approved mechanisms, including the Child Helpline (16000).
It said all reports are handled with full confidentiality and respect for the privacy of children and their families, reiterating its commitment to working with all relevant authorities to ensure a safe digital environment that protects the rights and well-being of children across Egypt.
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