The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) announced during a session of the Parliamentary Committee on Communications and Information Technology, a new SIM card designed specifically for children, part of the government’s efforts to ensure safe mobile phone use.
Child-Friendly SIM Cards Arriving Soon
Minister of Communications Raafat Hindi confirmed that the new packages could be available within 60 days. Working with Egypt’s four main mobile network operators, the authority aims to create a SIM card that gives children access to safe digital content and educational materials while blocking harmful or inappropriate content.
Balancing Safety and Learning
The goal is to protect children from harmful content while allowing them to benefit from digital learning. The initiative also seeks to address cyberbullying, exploitation, digital addiction, and other online risks.
Tackling Online Risks
Hindi added that the digital environment is no longer just a source of information but a fully integrated space that influences children’s behaviour, stressing the need for digital platforms to verify user ages while safeguarding data privacy.
This project follows remarks by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in January, where he highlighted the potential dangers of social media for children and called for stronger protective measures. El-Sisi ordered legislation restricting children’s use of mobile phones, citing the experiences of several countries such as Australia.
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