MCIT Launches Child-Safe Mobile Internet Services to Strengthen Online Protection - The Middle East Observer
Egypt has launched two nationwide mobile internet services aimed at strengthening child online protection, marking a key milestone in the country’s digital safety strategy and supporting the political leadership’s directives to enhance cybersecurity for children. Communications and Information Technology Minister Raafat Hindi oversaw the signing of licence amendments for the “Etmaen” and “Etmaen Ala Al […]
Egypt has launched two nationwide mobile internet services aimed at strengthening child online protection, marking a key milestone in the country’s digital safety strategy and supporting the political leadership’s directives toenhance cybersecurityfor children. Communications and Information Technology MinisterRaafat Hindioversaw the signing of licence amendments for the“Etmaen”and“Etmaen Ala Al Akher”services—widely known as the“Child SIM“initiative—in the presence of National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) Chief ExecutiveMohamed Shamroukhand senior executives from Egypt’s four mobile network operators, alongside technology partners. Hindi said the services are designed to help children benefit from the internet for education, learning and digital skills while providing Egyptian families with practical tools to protect them from harmful content and online threats. He added that the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) is also developing a broader governance framework for child online protection and expanding public awareness programmes on safe and responsible internet use. Both services automatically block access to age-inappropriate content based onInternational Telecommunication Union (ITU)child online protection standards, without requiring complex parental settings. Etmaenalso activates Safe Search and blocks websites associated with malware, phishing and other cyber threats, whileEtmaen Ala Al Akheradds restrictions onsocial media platformsand applications for families seeking a higher level of protection. The services are available through the four mobile operators’ branches and mobile applications, reflecting a joint effort by MCIT, the NTRA and telecom operators to build a safer digital environment for children and promote responsible technology use across Egypt. Related news:MCIT Pushes Outsourcing Expansion as Concentrix Plans 35,000-Strong Egypt WorkforceWill Society Remain Passive Until Egypt’s Street Children Are Lost to Crime?Read also:Egypt to Introduce Child-Specific SIM Card Within 60 Days to Enhance Digital SafetyAlgiers Declaration Signals Africa’s Shift Toward Digital Sovereignty