A proposed amendment to the Child Law that introduces comprehensive protections for children in cyberspace is set to be debated by the Shura Council on Sunday.
It would prohibit children under 15 from creating accounts on digital platforms and regulate the use by those aged between 15 and 18 under defined safeguards.
The Shura Council’s woman and child affairs committee has recommended approval of the amendments.
The draft legislation was submitted by five Shura Council members led by second vice-chairwoman Dr Jihad Al Fadhel.
Dr Al Fadhel
The proposal seeks to amend Law No (37) of 2012 by introducing a new chapter titled ‘Child Digital Safety’, reflecting growing national and international concern over children’s exposure to online hazards, including harmful content, privacy violations and exploitation.
Dr Al Fadhel said the initiative responds to a ‘pressing reality’.
“Children today are growing up in a digital environment that profoundly shapes their awareness, behaviour and wellbeing. Protecting them online is no longer optional – it is a natural extension of the state’s constitutional duty,” she said.
She stressed that the proposal strikes a careful balance between protection and empowerment, ensuring children can benefit from technology without being exposed to harm.
The legislation explicitly exempts digital platforms employed for educational purposes, which shall be identified through a decision issued by the Education Ministry.
This, the committee said, will ensure that digital protection measures do not undermine children’s right to education or impede the development of modern learning tools.
Woman and child affairs committee chairwoman Ejlal Bubshait described the proposal as a ‘qualitative legislative step’ aligned with both national priorities and global trends.
“The committee was keen to ensure that digital safety measures do not turn into restrictions on education or innovation. The law is designed to protect children without isolating them from the digital future,” she said.
Ms Bubshait
Under the proposed framework, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) will be tasked with issuing policies and standards governing Internet service providers’ obligations to protect children from harmful digital content.
A separate executive regulation will outline administrative penalties, enforcement mechanisms and age-verification requirements.
According to the committee, this approach ensures flexibility and keeps pace with rapid technological change.
Countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Kuwait have introduced age-based restrictions on children’s access to social media, while other nations, including France and Germany, are tightening child digital protection frameworks.
“The law represents an update to the Child Law’s protective tools, ensuring they remain effective in the digital age,” Ms Bubshait added. “Our ultimate aim is to safeguard the best interests of the child in every environment – including the virtual one.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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