Egypt will launch a first-of-a-kind “child SIM card,” with features like secure internet packages, parental controls, and age-based social media restrictions before 30th June 2026, Cabinet Spokesman Mohamed El-Homosany announced, as the President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi-led government drafts comprehensive legislation to protect minors in the digital environment.
As per Mohamed El-Homosany, the SIM card initiative is part of a proposed governance framework for child online protection. It also includes a “fixed internet control” mechanism, which has been developed in coordination with telecommunications operators, with the goal of providing content classification and parental controls via terminal devices supporting multiple network identifiers.
According to reports, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly directed the Cabinet’s Board of Advisors to ensure the swift completion of the draft law on internet child protection so it can be shared with relevant authorities to produce a comprehensive bill.
“The executive measures reviewed during the meeting address the legislative and regulatory handling of online betting, counterfeit currency distributed through video games, and digital addiction. Authorities are also working to regulate companies operating in this sector,” Mohamed El-Homosany said.
El-Homosany noted the government is developing a unified national vision, stating that protecting youth from these digital risks is a matter directly tied to national security.
“The proposed governance framework mandates activating protection tools on digital platforms, including age verification, parental controls, and content classification. It also requires enhanced transparency through periodic reports, user complaint mechanisms to monitor compliance, and launching awareness campaigns promoting safe and responsible internet usage,” the senior official added.
PM Mostafa Madbouly has also confirmed the North African country’s push to expedite several family-related bills (covering the Muslim family, the Christian family, and a family support fund), for submission to the House of Representatives. A meeting will soon be held to follow up on these draft laws.
“The meeting to address digital risks was attended by Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsy, Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hindi, and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Abdel Aziz Qanswa. Also present were Head of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation Khaled Abdel Aziz, Head of the National Media Authority Ahmed El-Moslemani, Head of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood Sahar Al-Sonbaty, CEO of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority Mohamed Shamroukh, and other relevant officials,” El-Homosany concluded.