House of Representatives to Draft Children’s Social Media Rules

Egypt’s House of Representatives has announced plans to draft legislation regulating children’s use of social media platforms, citing what it described as “digital chaos” and growing concerns about the impact of online content on children’s behaviour and development.

In a statement, the House said lawmakers will work with the government and specialised expert bodies to prepare a legal framework aimed at protecting children from online risks.

The proposed legislation is intended to address exposure to harmful content and behaviours that could negatively affect children’s future, with consultations expected to inform the final draft. The move follows recent remarks by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who urged policymakers to consider restricting children’s access to social media until they reach an age at which they can engage with platforms responsibly.

He also called for reviewing international approaches, pointing to countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom, where measures are being considered or introduced to limit children’s access to social media.

In separate comments, he encouraged lawmakers to look at restricting mobile phone use among younger age groups. Concerns around children’s online activity have been underscored by domestic research.

A 2024 report by the National Center for Social and Criminological Research estimated that around half of Egyptians under the age of 18 use social media platforms, where they may encounter cyberbullying, abuse and other harmful content.

Internationally, momentum around regulating children’s digital access has accelerated. Australia passed legislation in December banning social media use for children under 16.

In the UK, the government has indicated it may consider banning young teenagers from social media while tightening online safety laws. France has also moved in a similar direction, with President Emmanuel Macron calling for a ban on social media for children under 15 starting from the next school year.