Egypt weighs new rules for children’s phone and social media use after El-Sisi call

CAIRO - 30 JANUARY 2026: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has urged the government and parliament to study legislation that would restrict children’s use of mobile phones and social media platforms until they reach an age deemed appropriate, in a move framed by officials as a response to growing concerns over online harm, digital addiction, and child safety.

The presidency’s call has triggered quick institutional momentum. Parliament said it is moving toward drafting legislation to regulate children’s use of social media and address what lawmakers described as “digital chaos,” with consultations expected to involve government bodies and specialists to balance protection with practical implementation.

Parliament signals consultations before drafting
 

While momentum is building, lawmakers have also emphasized that discussions are still at an early stage. Reports citing parliamentary figures indicate the focus so far is on launching broad societal dialogue to define the scope and objectives of any future law, including whether restrictions should target age thresholds, platform access, or device ownership, and how enforcement would work.

State information services said El-Sisi specifically called for studying international models, with the government and parliament tasked with reviewing approaches adopted elsewhere and tailoring any future framework to Egypt’s context.

Child protection body sets “red lines” for the digital space
 

Alongside the legislative track, Egypt’s National Council for Childhood and Motherhood has highlighted digital safety as a national priority, warning against a range of online risks facing minors.

In recent public messaging, the council stressed the need to prevent children’s exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate content, and to confront cyberbullying, blackmail, and online exploitation.

Why the issue is rising now
 

Officials and local reporting have pointed to indicators suggesting wide and early exposure to digital devices.

A Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) report previously found that 46.9% of Egyptian children aged 4 to 17 used mobile phones, underscoring how early device use can begin.

Separately, Egypt’s Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center has cited findings linking heavy internet use among children to mental health strain, reporting that 27% of children using the internet for more than three hours daily recorded high or very high indicators of mental health impairment.

The debate is also unfolding amid broader digital penetration. Recent public remarks attributed to an adviser at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology put Egypt’s internet users at around 93 million, with about 90 million mobile phone users, a scale that amplifies both the opportunities and the risks for younger users.

What comes next
 

No final form of legislation has been announced, and key details, including age thresholds, enforcement mechanisms, and the role of platforms versus parents and schools, remain under discussion.

For now, Egypt’s direction is clear: a push to reduce harms without fully cutting minors off from the educational and developmental benefits of technology, with a broader societal debate expected before any binding rules are adopted.