Egyptian government cartoon encourages kids to inform on neighbors

A cartoon released by Cairo’s interior ministry is being criticized by Egyptians, who claim it is trying to turn children into informants for the government.

The cartoon depicts two boys, Fateen and Bolbol, who report their two neighbors after deciding they are behaving suspiciously.

The two kids immediately run to the police station and inform an officer, who commends them for coming straight to him, and notes that they should not tell anyone else of their suspicions — not even their parents.

The two neighbors are then arrested and taken away, while the beaming children ask for chocolate as their reward.

The Middle East Eye reported that the clip has received significant negative attention on social media, where users accused the government of trying to use kids to spy on citizens.

The ministry has insisted the cartoon is only meant to educate children about police’s role in protecting society.