After the Ban on Social Media Accounts for Children Under 13 in Egypt.. What is the Role of the Family?

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After Egypt took a step aimed at enhancing the protection of children and youth from the dangers and misuse of social media, it announced a decision that requires social media platforms to take measures to protect users under the age of fifteen and to provide a safer digital environment for them.

The decision divides age groups into two phases; the first is for children under 13 years old, where the creation or activation of independent personal accounts is prohibited, and the second is for those aged 13 to less than 15 years, allowing account creation on the condition that a safe usage mode is activated automatically and mandatorily, in addition to taking effective measures to verify age and prevent circumvention of age limits, while considering the protection of personal data.

However, with the implementation of these regulations, a question arises that concerns every family:

Is it enough to prevent children from creating accounts and restrict their use to protect them from the dangers of the digital world? Or does the family role, supervision, and awareness within the home remain an essential element in protecting children and teaching them how to safely interact with social media?

Dr. Tamer Shawqi, a professor of educational psychology at the Faculty of Education at Ain Shams University and an educational expert, stated in a special statement to "Al Arabiya.net" and "Al Hadath.net" that the decision is a positive step at this time, aiming to protect children and youth, noting that many advanced countries have taken similar measures to protect children from the dangers of excessive use of social media.

He explained that this age stage is one of the important stages in shaping the child's personality, especially since excessive use of social media can lead to addiction, which results in health and physical effects, including weight gain, weakened motor development due to lack of movement, as well as impaired vision due to prolonged use of mobile phones, and a decline in concentration and attention to what is happening around the child.

He added that children may be more susceptible to fake accounts that their owners may exploit due to their young age and lack of experience, pointing out that a child at this age is not fully capable of distinguishing between right and wrong, and thus using social media without supervision or guidance may expose them to inappropriate or unethical content for their age.

He noted that the impact is not limited to health and psychological aspects only, but also extends to the social aspect, as excessive use of social media may reduce the child's interaction with people around them in real life, gradually pushing them towards isolation.

Shawqi emphasized that the success of the decision also requires a fundamental role from the family, by providing suitable alternatives for the child to occupy the time they would have spent on social media, such as drawing, exercising, and various activities that help them invest their time in a beneficial way, explaining that using the internet does not necessarily mean a complete ban, but it can be allowed within a safe framework and under parental supervision.

In turn, Dr. Jamal Farweez, a consultant psychiatrist, stated in a special statement to "Al Arabiya.net" and "Al Hadath.net" that the issue is not merely about banning the use of social media sites, explaining that children at an early age may suffer from a lack of concentration due to excessive use of these platforms, in addition to excessive irritability and the emergence of several behavioral and psychological problems.

Farweez confirmed that after the government's decision to ban the use of social media for children under the age of 13, families should play a fundamental role in ensuring the implementation of this decision to protect their children, rather than seeking ways to circumvent it. He pointed out that there are studies that have addressed the changes that may occur in children's brain cells due to excessive use of social media, and that reducing or stopping their use for a period of time may help mitigate some of these changes, according to what those studies indicate.

He emphasized the necessity for families to consider the nature and inclinations of the child when implementing the ban, by providing suitable alternatives to occupy the time that was spent on social media, especially since a sudden ban for a child who is accustomed to using it may be a difficult matter for them.

He explained that dealing with the issue can be done gradually, with the provision of suitable alternatives for each child according to their inclinations and interests, whether through practicing sports, individual games, or any other activities that suit their personality, so that the time they spent on social media is transformed into beneficial activities. He affirmed that children have become very aware, and it is important to involve them in understanding the reasons for these measures instead of treating them merely as a ban.