A new Egyptian law targets minors’ access to social media platforms. Egypt is preparing to take a major step toward protecting children online.
The country’s parliament has announced plans to draft a new law that would limit how children access social media platforms. Lawmakers say the goal is to reduce the growing psychological, behavioral, and social risks linked to early and excessive exposure to digital platforms.
The announcement was made on Sunday, January 25, in an official statement from Egypt’s House of Representatives. According to the statement, the proposed legislation will focus on setting clear rules for children’s use of social media and regulating how digital platforms operate in the country.
Political backing from the highest level
The move follows direct pressure from President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. One day before the parliamentary announcement, the president publicly urged both the government and lawmakers to examine age restrictions for social media use.
President el-Sissi said children should not be given unrestricted access to social platforms until they reach an age where they can “manage properly” the tools and pressures that come with digital life.
His comments gave political momentum to an issue that has been gaining attention globally: how to protect children in an online world built largely for adults.
Read also: Benin’s Digital ID Breakthrough Is Redefining E-Government in Africa
What the proposed law may cover
Lawmakers say they plan to consult with government agencies, digital experts, and specialized institutions before finalizing the draft. The aim is to create a legal framework that balances child protection with digital access.
The law is expected to:
- Set age limits for social media use
- Define responsibilities for platforms operating in Egypt
- Introduce mechanisms to control or verify children’s access
- Address harmful content, cyberbullying, and online pressure
While details are still being discussed, officials say the focus is on reducing harm rather than blocking digital access entirely.
Egypt joins a growing global trend
Egypt’s move mirrors actions taken in other parts of the world.
In France, lawmakers recently approved a bill that bans children under 15 from using social media without parental consent. Australia went even further in December 2025, passing a landmark law that bans social media access for children under 16. Under the Australian law, platforms must remove underage accounts or face heavy fines.
These laws reflect a growing belief among governments that tech companies should play a stronger role in protecting young users.
Africa still catching up on child online protection
Despite rapid digital growth, Africa remains behind in child online protection frameworks.
According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 39 African countries had adopted a national child online protection strategy by 2024. Another 32% were still drafting policies, while 41% had taken no action at all.
This gap is becoming more serious as internet access spreads. The ITU estimates that globally, one child connects to the internet for the first time every half second.
For Egypt, new legislation could place the country among African states taking concrete steps to address this challenge.
Read also: ITU Council Working Group on Child Online Protection
Why the issue matters
Experts warn that unchecked social media use among children can lead to serious risks. These include cyberbullying, exposure to harmful or inappropriate content, anxiety, sleep disruption, and social pressure linked to constant online comparison.
Parents and educators in Egypt have increasingly raised concerns about screen time and online behavior, especially as smartphones and mobile internet become more affordable.
Supporters of regulation argue that early action could help reduce long-term mental health and social issues among young people.
Challenges ahead
Despite broad political support, creating effective legislation will not be easy.
Member of parliament Amira El-Adly has pointed out that Egypt lacks reliable, up-to-date data on how children actually use the internet. There is also limited verified research on the psychological and behavioral effects of social media use among Egyptian minors.
Without strong data, lawmakers may struggle to design rules that are both effective and enforceable.
What happens next
Parliament is expected to begin consultations in the coming weeks. Any proposed law will likely go through extended debate before being passed.
Still, the signal is clear: Egypt is preparing to take children’s digital safety more seriously, at a time when online platforms play a growing role in everyday life.
