Photo courtesy of Egypt's cabinet
Cabinet members agreed on the need to quickly finalize legislation protecting children, youth, and society from harmful social media content, according to a government statement.
They highlighted the importance of requiring digital platforms to appoint local legal representatives to address violations and of forming a high-level national committee to develop an integrated regulatory framework within a set timeframe.
The move comes after President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi last week instructed the government and parliament to review British and Australian laws that restrict children’s use of social media. The president warned that misuse of technology, particularly the rapid development of artificial intelligence tools, could be exploited to fabricate scenarios and incite instability.
Egypt’s parliament also announced plans last week to study legislation regulating children's use of social media platforms.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly emphasized the government’s commitment to working with parliament on a legislative framework to safeguard children from social media misuse.
Deputy Prime Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar outlined a proposed regulatory framework based on Arab and international experiences, aimed at creating a safe digital environment that promotes national values.
The proposal includes a unified age-rating system for digital platforms, age verification, parental controls, and deterrent penalties, Abdel-Ghaffar said.
Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsi reviewed international approaches to addressing harmful online content, highlighting the negative effects of social media on children and penalties imposed in some countries for violating child protection standards.
She warned of health, psychological, and behavioural risks facing children exposed to age-inappropriate content and stressed the need for digital content providers to appoint local representatives to handle complaints.
The National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) has urged stricter regulation of children’s internet use and stronger safeguards against online risks.
NCCM Secretary-General Wael Abdel-Razek told the cabinet meeting that the council has already received several complaints about online blackmail targeting children.
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