Prosper Okoye
Egypt is moving closer to introducing age restrictions on social media use, as lawmakers seek to curb what they describe as growing “digital chaos” affecting young teenagers.
The country’s parliament has begun work on draft legislation that would regulate children’s access to social media platforms, following calls from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for tougher controls to protect young users online.
In a statement issued late on Sunday, Egypt’s House of Representatives said the proposed law aims to “regulate children’s use of social media and put an end to the digital chaos our children are facing”, warning that unchecked exposure could negatively affect their future.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPresident Sisi, speaking during a televised address on Saturday, urged lawmakers and government agencies to consider restricting access to social media until children reach “an age when they can handle it properly”. He also called on officials to study similar measures being adopted in other countries.
According to parliament, the legislative process will involve consultations with government institutions and experts, with a focus on protecting children from online risks that may influence their behaviour and thinking.
Concerns over young people’s online safety remain widespread in Egypt. A 2024 report by the National Centre for Social and Criminological Research found that around half of children under the age of 18 use social media platforms, where they may be exposed to harmful content, cyberbullying and abuse.
Egypt’s proposal reflects a broader global debate over children’s use of social media. In December, Australia became the first country to ban access to social media for children under 16, a move that sparked discussions around child protection, privacy and mental health.
In Europe, the UK government has said it is considering stricter measures to limit young teenagers’ exposure to harmful online content, while France has announced plans to enforce a ban on social media use for children under 15 by the next school year.
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While no specific age limit has yet been announced in Egypt, lawmakers say the legislation is intended to strike a balance between digital access and safeguarding children in an increasingly online world.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
