By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The Ministry of
Communications and Information Technology has launched two new mobile services
designed to enhance the protection of children online and promote safer
internet usage across Egypt.
The initiative, unveiled at
a signing ceremony witnessed by Minister of Communications and Information
Technology Eng. Raafat Hendy, introduced the “Trust” and “Trust the Other”
services, also referred to as the Child Segment. The launch was attended by senior
officials from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and
representatives of major telecommunications operators in Egypt.
The services are designed to
provide a safer digital environment for children using mobile internet by
restricting access to harmful and inappropriate online content, in line with
international child online protection standards established by the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Speaking at the launch, Eng.
Raafat Hindi said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to
promoting safe and responsible use of digital services while ensuring that
children can benefit from the educational and developmental opportunities offered
by the internet.
He noted that the services
aim to strike a balance between enabling access to digital learning,
communication and entertainment platforms while equipping families with
effective tools to safeguard children from online risks.
The “Trust” service provides
baseline protection by blocking harmful content, enabling safe browsing mode,
activating safe search features on major search engines and preventing access
to websites known for malware, viruses and other cyber threats.
The “Trust the Other”
service offers enhanced protection by incorporating all features of the “Trust”
service while also restricting access to social media platforms and
applications, providing a stricter level of control for families seeking
additional safeguards.
According to the ministry,
both services are designed for ease of use and do not require complex technical
configuration, allowing parents or line owners to activate them directly
through mobile operators’ branches or digital applications.
Officials said the
introduction of the Child SIM services forms part of broader national efforts
to establish a comprehensive governance framework for online child protection,
alongside public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting digital literacy and responsible
internet use among parents and children.
The Ministry of
Communications and Information Technology and the National Telecommunications
Regulatory Authority emphasized that the initiative aligns with global best
practices in child online safety and represents a step forward in building a
secure and inclusive digital society in Egypt.
The services are now
available through Egypt’s mobile network operators.
