Egypt Moves to Restrict Social Media Use Among Young Teens Amid Growing ‘Digital Chaos’

Egypt is moving closer to regulating social media use among young teens as concerns grow over what lawmakers describe as rising digital chaos affecting children.

The move follows renewed debate in Egypt’s Parliament, where legislators say unchecked access to social media is shaping the thoughts, behaviour, and future of young teens in troubling ways. Authorities argue that the spread of harmful content online has made intervention unavoidable.

The push gained momentum after President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi publicly backed legislation to restrict young teens from using social media until they are mature enough to navigate it responsibly.

According to Egypt’s House of Representatives, the proposed law aims to end the digital chaos children face daily on online platforms. Lawmakers say consultations will involve educators, child-development experts, and government agencies to ensure the policy protects children without stifling innovation.

The concern is backed by data in Egypt, where a 2024 report showed that nearly half of children under 18 actively use social media, exposing young teens to cyberbullying, abuse, and harmful trends. As digital chaos becomes a global concern, Egypt’s debate mirrors similar actions in countries like Australia and the UK, signalling a wider international shift toward tighter controls on social media access for minors.