• Egypt’s parliament plans legislation to restrict children’s access to social media platforms.
• President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi publicly urged age limits on minors’ social media use.
• Egypt joins a global regulatory trend as Africa lags in child online protection frameworks.

Egypt’s parliament announced on Sunday, January 25, its intention to draft legislation regulating children’s use of social media. The House of Representatives released the information in an official statement. The statement said the draft law aims to limit the negative effects of digital exposure on minors, including psychological and behavioral risks associated with early use of social platforms.

Lawmakers said they plan to hold consultations with the government and specialized institutions. The process aims to design an appropriate legal framework. The framework seeks to establish mechanisms to control children’s access to social media. The framework also seeks to regulate the practices of digital platforms operating in Egypt.

The initiative follows direct political momentum. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called on the government and parliament one day earlier to examine restrictions on children’s social media use. The president said authorities should consider limits until children reach an age at which they can “manage properly” these digital tools.

Through this move, Egyptian authorities align with a growing global debate over child protection in digital spaces.

Several countries have already adopted concrete measures to regulate minors’ access to social platforms. In France, the National Assembly recently approved at first reading a bill banning social media for children under 15.

Australia adopted a landmark law in December 2025 banning access to social media for children under 16. The law requires platforms to delete non-compliant accounts. The law also imposes heavy fines for violations.

Online child protection remains uneven across Africa. The International Telecommunication Union said that only 39 African countries had adopted a national child online protection strategy in 2024.

At the same time, 32% of African states remained in the drafting phase. Meanwhile, 41% of countries had taken no action. The situation contrasts with rapid digital growth. The ITU said one child worldwide connects to the internet for the first time every half-second.

For Egypt, adoption of such legislation could strengthen protections against digital risks. These risks include cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and social pressure linked to intensive screen use.

However, the legislative process remains complex. Member of parliament Amira El-Adly recently highlighted the lack of reliable official data on children’s internet use in Egypt. She also cited the absence of verified data on psychological and behavioral impacts. This data gap could complicate the creation of a framework that is effective, balanced, and enforceable.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM