Khaberni - The first deputy of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Khamees Hussein Attiya, demanded the government to prepare and refer a bill that regulates the use of social media for those under the age of sixteen, emphasizing that the growth of digital risks targeting children and teenagers necessitates a clear legislative and regulatory response, which includes specific controls and effective enforcement mechanisms.
Attiya clarified that he had previously submitted proposals in this regard, however, the rapid developments in the digital environment, alongside the increase in cases of cyberbullying, extortion, exploitation, and exposure to harmful content, demand moving from a phase of discussion and proposals to a phase of enacting legislation and activating control tools to protect minors.
He noted that several countries have adopted advanced legislative and regulatory frameworks in this field, among them Australia, which enacted legislation restricting the use of social media platforms for those under the age of sixteen, and the United Kingdom, which imposed strict requirements for verifying users' ages and enhancing the protection of children from harmful content and legislated accordingly, reflecting a growing international trend towards regulating digital platforms and enhancing accountability.
Attiya emphasized the importance of preparing a national bill to be sent to the Parliament, which specifies the conditions and controls for the use of social media by minors, and obliges technology companies to apply reliable age verification systems, along with setting requirements for data and content protection, and granting the competent authorities the necessary powers for monitoring and taking legal actions against violators.
He also stressed that protecting children in the digital environment requires an integrated system of policies and legislation, calling on the government to expedite the preparation of a comprehensive bill that balances the benefits of technology and mitigates its negative effects on children and teenagers, while specifying the responsibilities of the relevant entities and mechanisms for implementation and monitoring.
Attiya concluded by emphasizing the need to include this file among the priorities of the government and legislative work and to take practical steps according to a clear timetable to enact and apply the legislation, which would enhance the protection system for children in the digital space and establish national standards regulating this sector.
