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Mohamed Ibrahim, spokesperson for Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, said digital platforms can use artificial intelligence to verify users’ ages and identify children who enter false ages to bypass social media restrictions.

AI-Based Age Verification

In televised remarks, Ibrahim said platforms can determine a user’s age group by analyzing how they interact with videos, images, games, advertisements and other digital content. Similar systems, he said, have already been tested and used in several countries.

The technology can identify a user’s likely age even when an incorrect age is provided during account registration. If the system determines that an account belongs to a child under 13, the platform can take action, including suspending the account under child-protection rules.

One-Month Deadline for Global Platforms

Ibrahim said global platforms have been given one month to submit proposals outlining the technical and regulatory mechanisms they intend to use to implement the decision.

Each platform will propose an approach suited to its technical capabilities and systems. The submitted mechanisms will then be reviewed and approved before implementation begins.

The regulations also require platforms to avoid collecting additional information that is not necessary for age verification, with the aim of protecting users’ privacy and personal data.

Restrictions on Children Under 13

Ibrahim said the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, in cooperation with the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, issued a decision governing children’s use of digital service platforms and social media.

The rules require platforms to prevent children under 13 from accessing, creating accounts on or using social media platforms.

Users aged 13 to 15 may create accounts under a safer-use framework and with parental supervision. Parents will have access to tools that allow them to control accounts, restrict contact with strangers and limit access to certain content.

“Etamen” Services for Child Online Safety

Ibrahim said work on the child online-safety initiative began in January and included community dialogue sessions involving different segments of Egyptian society and members of Parliament.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority launched the “Etamen” and “Etamen Ala El-Akhar” services in June to provide additional protection for children using the internet.

“Etamen” is designed to block inappropriate content, while “Etamen Ala El-Akhar” provides an additional layer of protection covering social media platforms. Tens of thousands of parents have subscribed to the services.

How to Subscribe to the Services

Parents can subscribe for free through their mobile operator’s application by selecting either service, reviewing the numbers linked to their account, choosing their child’s number and confirming activation.

They can also visit a branch of their mobile operator and request activation of either service on their child’s phone number.