Egypt to adopt restrictions on children’s social media use to fight 'digital chaos'

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's Parliament is looking into ways to regulate children’s use of social media platforms to combat what lawmakers called “digital choas,” following some western countries that are considering banning young teenagers from social media.

The House of Representatives said in a statement late Sunday that it will work on a legislation to regulate children’s use of social media and “put an end to the digital chaos our children are facing, and which negatively impacts their future.”

Legislators will consult with the government and expert bodies to draft a law to “protect Egyptian children from any risks that threaten its thoughts and behavior," the statement said.

The statement came after President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Saturday urged his government and lawmakers to consider adopting legislation restricting children’s use of social media, “until they reach an age when they can handle it properly.”

The president's televised comments urged his government to look at other countries including Australia and the United Kingdom that are working on legislations to “restrict or ban” children from social media.

About 50% of children under 18 in Egypt use social media platforms where they are likely exposed to harmful content, cyberbullying and abuse, according to a 2024 report by the National Center for Social and Criminological Research, a government-linked think tank.

In December, Australia became the first country to ban social media for children younger than 16. The move triggered fraught debates about technology use, privacy, child safety and mental health and has prompted other countries to consider similar measures.

The British government said it will consider banning young teenagers from social media while tightening laws designed to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged his government to fast-track the legal process to ensure a social media ban for children under 15 can be enforced at the start of the next school year in September.

FILE - Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi meets with President Donald Trump during a summit to support ending the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AP) — Qatar scored a win in Olympic politics Monday, with the emirate also aiming to host the 2036 Summer Games.

Olympic Council of Asia members elected Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani as their president to complete the term in office of Randir Singh of India, who stepped down for health reasons.

Sheikh Joaan was the only candidate nominated and received 44 votes, with one OCA member abstaining, at the Olympic body’s annual assembly. His term runs to 2028.

“I stand before you today with feelings of great pride and responsibility,” the sheikh said in an acceptance speech. He also leads the Qatar Olympic Committee and is senior vice president of the global group of national Olympic bodies, known as ANOC.

Sheikh Joaan is the younger brother of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who has been a member of the International Olympic Committee for 24 years.

Qatar’s influence in Olympic circles is growing as the IOC reflects on setting a process to choose the 2036 host. India and Qatar have been seen as the strongest bidders, with Saudi Arabia also interested.

Qatar will host the multi-sport Asian Games for the OCA in 2030 and the 2034 edition.

The next Asian Games opens in September in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan.

AP Olympics at https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

FILE - Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, center, of Qatar, flashes two thumbs up when celebrating Mutaz Essa Barshim's gold medal in the men's high jump at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, on Oct. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)