Egypt’s National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) stated on Wednesday, 28 January, that protecting children in the digital space is a national priority, calling for stricter regulation of children’s internet use and stronger safeguards against online risks. In a statement, the council said that regulating children’s use of mobile phones, social media, and electronic games is a central part of Egypt’s national child protection policy, as the digital world expands rapidly and online risks continue to grow. According to Sahar El-Senbati, Chairperson of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, while social media offers opportunities for learning and communication, it has increasingly become a gateway to serious risks for children, including exposure to exploitation and age-inappropriate content, which can have negative effects on children’s mental health and behavior. About half of Egypt’s children under 18 use social media, where they face exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, and online abuse, according to a 2024 report from the government-linked National Center for Social and Criminological Research. The council urged authorities and relevant groups to draw on international best practices and adopt a balanced approach that allows children to benefit from the…
