The Egyptian National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has introduced two new electronic services, "اطمن" and "اطمن على الآخر", aimed at protecting children from harmful online content. These services allow parents to control the electronic content their children access, providing a safer online environment. The services are currently available for free during a trial period and can be easily accessed through mobile operator applications.
The "اطمن" service blocks all harmful content, including social media sites, unblocking programs, and violent games, from reaching children at its source. On the other hand, "اطمن على الآخر" offers a higher level of restriction and protection when using social media platforms. The services have seen significant uptake, with tens of thousands of parents registering within a short period.
The high demand for these services is seen as a positive indicator of the need for such protective measures. The regulatory authority plans to make these services widely available after the trial period, with the goal of protecting future generations. Providing a safe digital environment for children is considered a national necessity, as online addiction poses a significant threat, potentially even surpassing the risks associated with drug addiction.
The Egyptian government has taken steps to regulate children's use of social media platforms. The Supreme Media Regulatory Council has decided to regulate the use of social media by children under the age of 15, categorizing them into two age groups. Children under 13 are to be completely barred from creating accounts or accessing social media platforms and digital services.
Children between 13 and 15 years old will be allowed to use social media platforms but with restricted accounts and limited privileges. This decision is part of a broader effort to protect children from the potential risks associated with social media use, including psychological and social harm. The council's decision has been made in line with international practices, with several countries having implemented similar regulations.
The French parliament, for instance, recently approved a law imposing an electronic ban on children under 15. Similar regulations are in place in 14 other countries. Egypt's regulatory body has informed all global and local platforms of the new rules, giving them a month to propose implementation mechanisms and three months to apply the regulations to existing and new accounts.
The authorities stress the urgency of implementing these measures, as children are increasingly vulnerable to the risks of the digital world. The goal is to create a safer online environment for Egyptian children, and strict enforcement of the regulations is planned to achieve this objective.
Key points
- Egypt introduces two new services to protect children from harmful online content
- Regulatory measures aim to categorize and restrict social media use for children under 15
- The goal is to create a safer digital environment for Egyptian children, aligning with international practices
