The discussions are being led by the parliamentary Communications and Information Technology Committee and will continue through Tuesday. Education Minister Mohamed Abdellatif, Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsy, and Communications and Information Technology Minister Amr Talaat attended the opening session.
Ahmed Badawy, who chairs the committee, said representatives from major technology companies, including TikTok, X, Facebook and Microsoft, have been invited to take part in the deliberations.
In a phone-in with MBC Masr on Sunday, Badawy said the companies would be asked to address their responsibility in protecting young users and ensuring child-friendly digital environments.
Badawy described the parliamentary meeting as “one of the most important legislative discussions” the chamber will undertake, saying the proposed legislation responds to growing concern over unrestricted technology use by children.
His committee has recorded a rise in parental complaints about smartphone and social media addiction, with reported effects including behavioural changes, declining mental health, and worsening academic performance.
“This legislative intervention aims to establish protective regulations without restricting children’s freedom to use technology,” Badawy said.
Egypt’s move comes amid a global push to regulate children’s access to digital platforms, driven by concerns over addiction, exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, exploitation, and potential long-term psychological harm.
Australia banned children under 16 from using social media in December 2025, citing the negative effects of online platforms on young people.
The United Kingdom has passed the Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to protect minors from harmful content, while countries including Germany and Italy require parental consent for children under 16 to create social media accounts.
In the United States, several states have passed laws restricting minors’ access to social media, though some measures have been stalled by legal challenges. China has introduced a “minor mode” that enforces age-based limits on screen time and app use.
In Egypt, the government held a meeting last week to discuss measures to protect children from harmful content on social media and online games.
Cabinet members agreed on the need to fast-track legislation protecting children, young people, and society from harmful online content, according to a government statement.
The meeting also backed requiring digital platforms to appoint local legal representatives and creating a national committee to develop a regulatory framework.
Last month, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi instructed the government and parliament to review British and Australian laws restricting children’s use of social media.
He warned that misuse of technology, particularly rapidly advancing artificial intelligence tools, could be used to fabricate scenarios and fuel instability.
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