Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has officially launched Wa3i.net, a comprehensive Arabic platform designed to promote digital citizenship and online safety. The launch, which coincided with Safer Internet Day, marks a significant government-led effort to protect children in an increasingly digital world.
A Strategic Partnership for a Safer Digital Future
The initiative was strengthened by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the MCIT, led by Minister Raafat Hendy, and the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM). This collaboration aims to institutionalize coordination on child online protection, focusing on developing awareness content, building professional capacity, and providing robust support services for families and educators.
Under the agreement, the MCIT is responsible for developing interactive digital content for the platform, ensuring accessibility for children with disabilities, and conducting training workshops nationwide. Concurrently, the NCCM will lead national awareness campaigns, coordinate child protection policies, and review digital content to ensure its suitability.
Comprehensive Resources for All Ages
Wa3i.net is designed to serve a wide audience with age-appropriate content tailored for children, adolescents, youth, parents, educators, and the elderly. The platform’s core objectives are to foster the safe use of technology, build critical thinking skills, raise awareness of digital risks, and provide practical guidance on safeguarding personal data.
National and International Backing
Minister Hendy emphasized that the platform reflects Egypt’s commitment to protecting its youngest citizens amidst a rapid digital transformation. The initiative aligns with directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to pair digital infrastructure expansion with robust public awareness campaigns and supports ongoing legislative efforts to regulate children’s internet use.
The launch ceremony was attended by key national and international figures, including NCCM President Sahar El Sonbaty, UNICEF Egypt Representative Natalia Winder Rossi, and UNDP Egypt Resident Representative Chitose Noguchi. Both UNICEF and UNDP expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting its importance in safeguarding vulnerable groups as Egypt transitions toward a knowledge-based society.
Impact Through Education and Training
Even before the platform’s official launch, the Digital Citizenship and Online Safety Initiative has demonstrated significant reach. It has successfully delivered 38 training courses to 1,727 teachers, conducted 40 online awareness sessions for 1,868 parents and youth, and held 41 interactive workshops for 2,472 children and adolescents in collaboration with schools, youth centers, and civil society organizations across the country.
About Wa3i.net
Wa3i.net is an integrated Arabic platform launched by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in partnership with the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood. It is dedicated to promoting digital citizenship and online safety by providing educational resources, tools, and guidance for children, parents, educators, and the wider community to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Source: MEA TechWatch
