Egypt imposes new online rules to shield children from digital harm

CAIRO – Egypt’s National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) unveiled a series of strict “red lines” to protect children from the dangers of digital spaces and online crimes, in a move aimed at safeguarding minors from the risks of the virtual world.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Council outlined a set of absolute prohibitions designed to create a safe online environment. These include a complete ban on photographing children or sharing their images and personal data on digital platforms, as well as a prohibition on exposing minors to harmful or age-inappropriate content.

The guidelines also criminalise subjecting children to any form of bullying, extortion or online exploitation, and forbid digital communication with children outside legally approved and official channels.

The Egyptian parliament announced last Sunday that it had formally begun drafting legislation to regulate children’s access to social media and digital applications, following examples set by other countries that restrict mobile phone use for minors. The move reflects a growing awareness within the state of the psychological and behavioural risks posed by excessive use of digital platforms, which can escalate to digital addiction.

The NCCM called for adopting a “balanced supervision” model inspired by international best practices. This approach aims to combine access to the benefits of the internet with strict monitoring of the content available to children, prioritising prevention and awareness-raising among families and institutions about digital risks and reporting mechanisms.

Parents, the Council emphasised, bear the primary responsibility for protecting children from the harmful effects of mobile phones. They must be aware of the psychological and physical impacts of prolonged digital exposure. Families and educational institutions are urged to monitor early signs of digital threats and intervene immediately to protect minors. The Council also stated that it is ready to receive any reports of online violations.

The statement reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to working with all state agencies to ensure that children in Egypt grow up in a safe and responsible digital environment, stressing that the “digital space” will not be a loophole for violating children’s rights or compromising their mental and physical wellbeing.

Medical and psychological experts have warned of the risks of children’s excessive use of digital devices, including tendencies toward isolation and loneliness, persistent anxiety when devices are removed, decreased concentration and negative impacts on academic performance.

Experts also highlighted the phenomenon of “digital distraction,” where children compulsively check phones every few minutes during study, alongside physical issues such as poor eyesight, back pain, and musculoskeletal problems caused by prolonged device use.

The NCCM underlined that protection in the digital space is not only about reacting to threats after they occur but also about prevention and awareness. This includes promoting safe and responsible technology use and building awareness among children, families, and institutions about digital risks and protective measures. All reports and data submitted are handled with strict confidentiality, with full consideration of the privacy of children and their families.

Dr Hala Youssef, a sociology professor, noted that families shoulder significant responsibility, adding that mobile phones are often used to occupy children rather than facilitate dialogue or guidance. Many parents are unaware of the type of games their children play or the messages they convey. She also highlighted that financial and social pressures have led some families to rely on phones as a “quick fix,” often without understanding the long-term consequences.

Experts agree that outright bans are ineffective and may provoke rebellion or covert usage. Instead, they recommend setting daily time limits, monitoring game content and age ratings, discussing online activity with children, integrating digital literacy into education, and closely supervising games promoting violence or criminal behaviour.

Specialists emphasised that in an era of rapid technological growth and declining parental oversight, children face an unrestricted digital world. Smartphones alone are not responsible for behavioural deviation, but in the absence of awareness and supervision, digital addiction can become a hidden gateway to behaviours that threaten children’s safety and future, requiring urgent intervention from families, schools and relevant authorities.