The widespread use of global digital platforms and applications has raised concerns about the impact on children and young people in the Arab world. With a vast array of content available 24/7, families are struggling to navigate this new digital landscape. The issue is no longer just about entertainment or differences in taste, but a pressing societal concern that affects the present and future of Arab communities.
The companies behind the major digital platforms possess advanced technology that can analyze user behavior, determining which content is most engaging and how much time users spend watching. This raises questions about their responsibility, particularly towards children and adolescents who are still forming their awareness and may not have the ability to distinguish between what is beneficial and what is harmful.
The statistics reveal a massive economy behind these platforms, with annual revenues exceeding hundreds of billions of dollars. These figures not only reflect the enormous profits but also demonstrate the power of technological resources in shaping user behavior. This imposes a moral responsibility on these companies to use their capabilities to protect the young and limit harmful content.
The problem is not limited to wasting time, but also extends to direct health and psychological risks, as studies have proven. These risks include declining levels of concentration and academic achievement, sleep disorders, social isolation, and psychological anxiety. Additionally, some content promotes quick profit without work and fame without achievement, presenting a virtual life as an alternative to education and family.
The crisis is exacerbated by the acute shortage of safe and attractive Arab digital content for children. The lack of Arab content allows foreign platforms to dominate the scene, forcing Arab media institutions and content creators to invest resources in providing digital alternatives that match the quality of global platforms and align with the identity of Arab societies.
In response, the Egyptian government, under the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, has taken regulatory steps to protect children from the risks of digital platforms. These measures, carried out in cooperation between the Supreme Council for Media Regulation and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, include banning the creation of independent accounts for those under 13 and obliging platforms to activate safe usage modes for users between 13 and 15 years old.
The Egyptian efforts are part of a broader Arab regulatory movement to regulate the digital space, with Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Morocco, and Jordan imposing similar controls. This unified Arab approach reflects a collective awareness that protecting the Arab mind and family has become a sovereign issue that requires cooperation to impose Arab moral and cultural standards.
Key points
- The Arab world is facing a significant challenge in regulating digital platforms and protecting children from harmful content.
- The companies behind digital platforms have a moral responsibility to protect children and limit harmful content.
- The Egyptian government has taken regulatory steps to protect children from the risks of digital platforms.
