The Arab Parliament for Children convened recently to address pressing issues faced by young Arabs in the digital space. During its third session of the fourth term, held at the Sharjah Consultative Council, members from 16 Arab countries focused on the theme, “Cybersecurity: Towards Child-Friendly Content for Arab Children.” This session exemplified the Parliament’s commitment to nurturing parliamentary skills among children while fostering dialogue, engagement, and critical thinking. Furthermore, it aimed to align with Sharjah’s vision of investing in human capital and creating an informed generation capable of navigating the challenges of the digital age with confidence and responsibility.
The meeting saw the presence of prominent figures, including Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of the Sharjah Digital Department, and Rashid Abdullah bin Huwaidan, Deputy Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council. The session was further graced by various officials, including the representative of the Arab League, Lubna Azzam, and Consul General of Palestine, Mohammad As’ad.
During the session, Ayman Othman Al-Barout, Secretary-General of the Arab Parliament for Children, emphasized Sharjah’s role as a cultural hub. He articulated that under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Parliament serves as a vital platform for the Arab child, promoting awareness and responsibility. He also acknowledged the continuous support of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, who is dedicated to fostering a safe and nurturing environment for children.
Al-Barout pointed out that Sharjah’s recent recognition by UNESCO as the first Arab city to participate in an international pilot program for assessing early childhood systems reflects its unwavering commitment to children’s issues. He mentioned that choosing cybersecurity as a main theme signifies the Parliament’s awareness of digital transformation, highlighting the dual nature of the online realm as both an opportunity for knowledge and a source of challenges that require awareness, protection, and the development of content that respects Arab children’s identities and values.
In his address, Elias Al-Ma’ni, President of the Arab Parliament for Children, acknowledged that holding the session at the Consultative Council symbolizes pride for Arab children. This platform allows members to actively engage in discussing pertinent issues and devising recommendations that mirror the aspirations of young Arabs. He also extended gratitude to the ruler of Sharjah and his wife for their unwavering support of the Parliament’s initiatives.
The session was structured around four core themes: Arab children in the digital space, safe media practices, mental health and well-being in the digital world, and the influence of media on child development. Members presented insights that demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of challenges such as cyberbullying and addiction to digital devices, along with the urgent need for policies protecting children from digital exploitation and advocating for meaningful Arabic content that reinforces identities and values.
The discussions underscored the critical roles of families and schools in guiding safe technology use, the importance of raising awareness about cybersecurity, and the integration of digital safety concepts into educational curricula. Moreover, collaboration with tech companies to develop effective protective tools for children was emphasized. Each member concluded their remarks with recommendations aimed at shaping a comprehensive parliamentary vision on these matters.
As part of the session proceedings, the addition of several new members to specialized parliamentary committees was announced, enhancing the institutional framework of the Parliament, particularly in the Child Rights Committee and the Activities Committee. This move will bolster the sustainability of programs and initiatives stemming from the Parliament.
The session concluded with gratitude extended to the Secretariat of the Arab Parliament for Children for its organizational efforts. The commitment to empowering Arab children remains steadfast, with plans for future sessions to further amplify their voices on both Arab and international platforms.