The Minister of Family, Women, Children and the Elderly, Asma Jebri, announced on Thursday, November 5, 2026, that her department had begun drafting a bill aimed at strengthening the protection of children in the digital environment. This announcement was made at the opening of the National Forum on Cyberbullying, held at the El Ghazala Technology Hub, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Organized under the theme “For a Safe Digital Environment for All Children,” this forum is part of the International Day Against Cyberbullying and of the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Fight against violence against children in cyberspace by 2028.
A Bill to Strengthen the Protection of Children
In her remarks, Asma Jebri stressed that the forthcoming piece of legislation aims to strengthen the participation and coordination of all the actors involved in child protection in the digital space.
She recalled that this approach follows the National Charter for Strengthening Family Capacities to ensure a safe digital environment for children, launched in November 2025 by her ministry, in partnership with the Ministry of Communications Technologies and the various stakeholders.
The minister also stressed the need to adapt the national child protection system to technological transformations and the evolving needs of younger generations.
According to her, the digital space now occupies an important place in children’s daily lives, offering them opportunities for learning, communication, creativity and participation.
However, these opportunities must be accompanied by safeguards that help prevent the risks to which children may be exposed.
Asma Jebri notably highlighted that the prevention of cyberbullying constitutes a collective responsibility, involving public institutions, educational establishments, digital actors and families, which play a central role.
A National Exhibition Against Cyberbullying from November 25 to 27
The minister announced the organization, in Tunis, of a national exhibition dedicated to the creations of children and adolescents, from November 25 to 27, 2026, under the theme “Digital Comics Against Cyberbullying”.
This event will bring together children from childhood complexes and clubs, protection and care establishments, as well as beneficiaries of programs of the Tunisian Association of SOS Children’s Villages.
The Tunisian Scouts and the Tunisian Union for Social Solidarity will also participate in this initiative.
The aim is to foster the expression and participation of children in awareness-raising against online violence, through digital creations.
The Number of Digital Safety Ambassadors Rises from 300 to 500
Asma Jebri also presented several initiatives undertaken by her department in terms of prevention.
She notably mentioned the launch of a national awareness campaign, accompanied by the production of two spots aimed at preventing the risks associated with early and excessive screen use among children.
Meanwhile, the ministry continues its programs to develop young people’s digital skills and to promote responsible use of technology.
In this context, the number of digital safety ambassadors within computer centers for children rose from 300 in 2025 to 500 in 2026, an increase of 200 ambassadors.
These ambassadors participate in digital safety awareness activities and in disseminating best practices among children.
UNICEF Calls for Strengthening Listening and Support for Children
Michel Le Pechoux, UNICEF Representative in Tunisia, emphasized the importance of developing mechanisms to prevent cyberbullying and strengthening children’s digital skills.
He especially stressed the need to listen to young victims, to support them and to guide them when they face online harassment.
The UNICEF representative also welcomed the ministry’s efforts to strengthen the capacities of the different actors and to improve coordination among the structures tasked with protecting children in cyberspace.
Towards Better National Coordination by 2028
The forum’s discussions focused on two themes: protecting children from cyberbullying through an integrated national approach to prevention, protection and care, as well as the analysis of available data on children’s cyberbullying in Tunisia.
The opening session took place in the presence of Imen Belnour, Deputy General Director of Tunisia Smart Technoparks, as well as representatives from ministries, public bodies, associations, media and digital sector players.
The forum aims to develop operational recommendations to improve national prevention and response mechanisms to cyberbullying, within the framework of the National Action Plan by 2028.
The discussions should also deepen knowledge of the phenomenon in Tunisia, promote the sharing of data and available research, and clarify the respective responsibilities of families, educational institutions, media and digital actors.
The objective is to strengthen coordination among the various stakeholders in order to develop a common approach to protecting children in the digital environment.
