The Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo University organized a discussion session today, Monday, titled “Media and Children in the Digital Age: Between Protection and Exploitation.” This event was part of the second day of the 3 EGICA conference. The session was chaired by Professor Essam Nasr, a faculty member in the Radio and Television Department, alongside Dr. Ahmed Khattab, the head of the Public Relations and Advertising Department, who provided commentary.
Professor Essam Nasr opened the discussion by emphasizing the significant challenges posed by the current digital world regarding child protection. He noted that children now interact with more than just screens; they inhabit a vast, multi-dimensional digital space where knowledge and entertainment intersect, but which also presents risks such as isolation.
Nasr highlighted that the responsibility of protecting children in this context is no longer solely that of the family. Instead, it has become a shared duty that involves various institutions, including legislative bodies, the media, and all sectors of society. He stressed that protecting children in the digital age cannot rely solely on warnings; it requires responsible awareness and active participation from the media.
During his speech, Dr. Hamdi Arqoub, an assistant professor of Child Psychology and Special Education at the Faculty of Early Childhood Education at Damanhour University, pointed out that media has rapidly evolved in various forms—texts, images, and modern technologies associated with artificial intelligence. However, this evolution has not been matched by a similar development in family structure and culture. He noted that a large segment of children aged 6 to 12 constitutes about one-third of smart device users in society, with usage rates sometimes exceeding three hours daily.
Arqoub stated that protecting children requires appropriate methods and approaches tailored to their different developmental stages. He emphasized that many children are exposed to content unsuitable for their age and that families remain primarily responsible for the child’s mental health. He highlighted the importance of warmth within families and positive dialogue with children, warning that a lack of familial support or excessive harshness could lead to negative consequences such as aggression, fear, or isolation. He also noted the impact of behavioral modeling within the family, such as excessive use of devices by parents. Additionally, he mentioned the prevalence of cyberbullying and underscored the need for a “family charter” to regulate children’s technology use consciously and responsibly.
Meanwhile, journalist Hussein El-Zanaty, the editor-in-chief of “Alaa El-Din” magazine at Al-Ahram Foundation, as well as the first deputy of the Journalists’ Syndicate and its secretary-general, shared the magazine’s experience in providing content aimed at children. He affirmed that engaging with children today cannot follow the same traditional standards due to the rapid changes in content and media. This underscores the importance of specialization in “Children’s Journalism” as a significant field in shaping children’s personalities and building their awareness.
El-Zanaty added that children’s issues are often treated as marginal compared to other topics like sports and arts, despite requiring substantial professional and societal awareness. He noted that “Alaa El-Din,” since its establishment in 1993, has served as a vital model in children’s journalism, achieving a distribution of around 100,000 copies weekly at that time. Its role extends beyond printed publication to include participation in cultural events and collaborations with sports institutions like Al Ahly Club, contributing to the holistic development of children’s culture.
He concluded by stressing the importance of training specialized professionals capable of reaching children in the digital age, highlighting the clear shortage of qualified personnel in this vital field.
Dr. Naira Shbaik, a lecturer in the Radio and Television Department, pointed out that children possess genuine communication rights that media should acknowledge. She noted that these rights have been reaffirmed in international agreements by the United Nations even before the emergence of digital media. Shbaik explained that the relationship between children and digital media has become reciprocal, presenting both opportunities and risks, particularly as children now own personal devices and face a diverse array of content that is hard to control.
She continued that producing content responsibly requires a keen awareness of the targeted age groups, ensuring that the material is suitable for every developmental and cultural stage. She warned that the absence of “safe communication” could expose children to psychological and behavioral risks such as isolation or even more severe dangers like bullying, extortion, and online harassment. Shbaik emphasized the family’s crucial role in activating this concept and enhancing children’s awareness of right and wrong. She also stressed the need to pay attention to the rights of minority children, particularly those with disabilities and children from conflict zones, pointing out the gap in content aimed at them and their families. She concluded by asserting that children’s media should not be limited to entertainment but must provide safe, appropriate content that supports their growth and protects them in the digital environment.
