Egypt bans social media accounts for under-13s and mandates “safe mode” for ages 13-15

Egyptian officials have announced a significant update to digital regulations this Thursday, implementing new measures aimed at protecting younger users from potential online risks. The decree issued jointly by the Supreme Council for Media Regulation and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority imposes strict requirements on social media platforms regarding their interaction with children and teenagers under the age of 15.

The primary restriction stipulates that children under 13 are prohibited from creating or activating independent social media accounts. For teenagers aged between 13 and 15, while personal accounts remain permissible, platforms are mandated to automatically activate a safety feature known as "Safe Mode." This setting cannot be altered by the underage user without explicit approval, thereby ensuring an additional layer of protection for this age group.

To ensure compliance, tech companies are required to implement robust age-verification systems that prevent users from manipulating their age settings. A comprehensive audit of existing accounts will also be conducted to identify and address any accounts that may belong to individuals under the age of 15. In cases of legitimate errors in age verification, a formal appeals process will be established to rectify the situation.

The regulatory measures were introduced in response to directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who has expressed concern over the potential misuse of social media by young people. Khaled Abdel Aziz, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, emphasized that the establishment of digital child safety is a collaborative effort among the government, families, society, and digital platforms.

He clarified that the primary goal is not to exclude children from technology, but rather to ensure its safe, responsible, and age-appropriate utilization.

Mohamed Shamroukh, Chief Executive of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, further explained that the framework operates on the principle of "age- and risk-proportionate protection," offering different levels of security based on the user's developmental stage and the nature of the online risks they may encounter.

Tech companies have been given a three-month window to fully comply with the new regulations, submitting detailed operational plans and technical timelines by the end of a 30-day period following the decree's effective date.