Egypt’s Parliament has begun moves toward regulating young teens access to social media platforms, citing growing concerns over what lawmakers describe as “digital chaos” affecting young users across the country.

The proposed action, announced by Egypt’s House of Representatives late Sunday, comes after President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi urged both lawmakers and the government to consider legislation restricting young teens use of social media platforms until “they reach an age when they can handle it properly.”

In its statement, the House of Representatives said it would work on legislation to regulate children’s use of social media and “put an end to the digital chaos our children are facing, and which negatively impacts their future.”

Lawmakers said the legislative process would involve consultations with government agencies and relevant expert bodies. According to the statement, the aim is to draft a law that would “protect Egyptian children from any risks that threaten its thoughts and behavior.”

President el-Sissi, speaking during a televised address on Saturday, also encouraged authorities to examine policies being adopted elsewhere, pointing to countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom that are working on legislation to “restrict or ban” children from social media platforms.

Concerns over young teens exposure online remain significant in Egypt. A 2024 report by the National Center for Social and Criminological Research found that about 50% of children under 18 use social media platforms, where they are likely to encounter harmful content, cyberbullying, and abuse.

Globally, Egypt’s discussions mirror a growing trend toward stricter digital regulations for minors. In December, Australia became the first country to ban social media access for young teens under 16, a move that sparked widespread debate over child safety, privacy, mental health, and technology use.

In Europe, the British government has said it will consider banning young teenagers from social media while strengthening laws to curb harmful content and excessive screen time. French President Emmanuel Macron has also urged his government to fast-track legal measures to ensure a ban on social media use for children under 15 is enforced by the start of the next school year. (Arise News)

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