February 24 — Cairo: Egypt is preparing to introduce special SIM cards designed for children, allowing parents to control the content their children can access on mobile devices, according to officials from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA).
Hossam Abdel-Mawla, representing the NTRA, announced the initiative during a meeting of the House of Representatives’ Communications and Information Technology Committee, chaired by MP Ahmed Badawi. He explained that the new SIM cards will include activation codes enabling parents to restrict certain types of content.
The service will block access to adult websites, violent material, and applications that allow users to bypass restrictions, such as virtual private networks (VPNs). It will also include regulatory measures related to electronic games.
Abdel-Mawla noted that concerns about internet safety and child protection have evolved over time, with global awareness of the risks associated with digital platforms increasing significantly over the past two decades. He added that many countries have implemented parental control systems in response to the long-term effects of unrestricted internet access on younger generations.
He emphasized that Egypt has been working to regulate digital content since 2018 and that the planned measures align with international practices. Countries such as the United Kingdom and France have already debated stricter regulations, while other European Union member states are considering similar frameworks.
According to Abdel-Mawla, draft legislation is currently being prepared and is based on three main principles. These include establishing a clear age classification system for digital content and electronic games, introducing defined compliance procedures, and applying penalties for violations.
The proposed law also aims to regulate digital platforms in coordination with international technology companies to ensure effective implementation. Certain electronic games, particularly those involving open communication or potentially harmful content, will be subject to additional regulatory standards.
He added that international regulatory models often require extra approvals for games that allow unrestricted interaction between users. Proposed measures in Egypt include introducing “safe mode” features, parental control tools, and clear age ratings. The Supreme Council for Media Regulation is currently reviewing the proposal.
Abdel-Mawla stressed that the goal is not to restrict access to digital platforms but to create protective measures that reduce risks and enhance child safety while preserving users’ freedom.
Committee chairman Ahmed Badawi raised questions about how the regulations would be enforced. Officials responded that enforcement mechanisms would follow international best practices and include clear standards and penalties to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
