Egypt Moves to Regulate Children’s Use of Social Media

Egypt’s Parliament has begun examining measures to regulate children’s use of social media platforms, citing growing concern over what lawmakers describe as “digital chaos” and its impact on young people’s development and future wellbeing.

In a statement issued late Sunday, the House of Representatives said it is preparing to work on new legislation aimed at controlling children’s access to social media and addressing the negative social, psychological and behavioural effects associated with excessive or unregulated online exposure. Lawmakers said the objective is to “put an end to the digital chaos our children are facing,” which they argue is increasingly shaping attitudes, values and behaviour in harmful ways.

Parliament said it will consult closely with the government, relevant ministries and specialist bodies, including experts in education, child development and digital safety, as part of the drafting process. The proposed law is intended to establish safeguards that protect Egyptian children from online risks that could threaten their thinking, behaviour and overall development, while also setting clearer responsibilities for families, platforms and regulators.

The move follows similar debates and policy discussions in several Western countries, where governments are considering restrictions or outright bans on social media use for young teenagers amid rising concerns over mental health, cyberbullying and online exploitation.

The parliamentary statement came shortly after President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi publicly urged his government and lawmakers to consider legislation limiting children’s access to social media until they reach an age at which they can use such platforms responsibly. Speaking on Saturday, the president emphasised the need to balance technological progress with the protection of younger generations, warning that unchecked digital exposure could have long-term consequences for society.

The proposed legislation is expected to spark wider public debate in Egypt around digital rights, parental responsibility and the role of technology companies in safeguarding children online.