Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has issued directives to state agencies and Egyptian families to protect children under 15 from the risks and misuse of social media platforms. This initiative goes beyond enacting laws or banning the creation or ownership of independent accounts on social media platforms. The Ministry of Education is expected to play a crucial role in achieving this goal, considering the aim is to safeguard this age group from the dangers of social media.
The current Minister of Education, Mohamed Abdel Latif, who has been in office since July 2024, is well aware of the rapidly evolving nature of social media and its widespread use among students, particularly in completing school assignments. Relying solely on the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, in coordination with the Ministry of Communications, to establish mandatory controls for social media platforms is deemed insufficient. Similarly, enacting laws alone is not enough to address the issue.
The Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Minister Abdel Latif, must develop a new curriculum for young students to educate them about the risks associated with the improper use of social media platforms. Protecting children in the digital space is considered a national security issue, and this protection should start at school, followed by the family, and then other relevant agencies. Building a digitally literate culture that leverages technology for learning while mitigating its negative impacts on young people should be a priority for the Ministry of Education.
Despite existing lessons that discuss the risks of social media, experts argue that this is not enough, and a dedicated curriculum should be taught to students in primary and preparatory schools. The rapid evolution of social media platforms necessitates a proactive approach to address the potential risks they pose to young users. The misuse of these platforms can lead to the creation of a new generation with poor morals and negatively impact academic performance and health.
Parents also have a significant role to play, alongside schools, in guiding children to use social media safely and protecting them from moral, academic, and health risks. Furthermore, there are concerns about the potential for social media to be used for malicious purposes, posing a threat to national security. This underscores the importance of schools taking a leading role in safeguarding this age group.
The Egyptian government has been working to address the challenges posed by social media, with a focus on protecting young people. The Ministry of Education's involvement in this effort is critical, as it seeks to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the Egyptian government, schools, and families must work together to ensure that young people are protected from the risks associated with social media and equipped to make the most of its benefits. This collaborative approach is essential in promoting a safe and healthy digital environment for Egypt's future generations.
Key points
- The Egyptian Ministry of Education is set to play a key role in protecting children from the risks of social media.
- A new curriculum is being considered to educate young students about the safe use of social media.
- Protecting children in the digital space has been deemed a national security issue in Egypt.
