The Sharjah Social Services Department recently held the “Kafa A’nafan” forum at Al Qasba Theater, emphasizing the theme “Together We Protect Their Childhood in the Digital Space.” This event attracted approximately 150 participants, including experts in childhood, education, digital protection, media awareness, and representatives from local and international organizations, as well as parents and educators interested in digital safety.
Organized with the goal of elevating community awareness, the forum aimed to highlight the digital risks that children face in an era dominated by the internet and social media. It sought to explore the comprehensive roles played by relevant local and international organizations in safeguarding youth and creating a secure digital environment.
Multiple Dimensions in Protection
Fatima Al Marzouqi, Director of the Child and Family Protection Center at the department, inaugurated the forum and highlighted its role as an interactive platform for the integration of institutional and community roles. She expressed the department’s commitment to building a secure digital environment for children based on awareness, conscious guidance, and intelligent direction rather than restriction or isolation.
Al Marzouqi emphasized that modern digital challenges necessitate genuine collaboration among educational, legislative, technical, and social entities, asserting that digital safety is achieved not through individual initiatives but through collective awareness and unified policies, along with long-term institutional integration.
Interactive Panels and Institutional Success Stories
The forum included two panel discussions focusing on potential digital risks, applicable regulations, and national and international initiatives that contribute to protecting children from digital challenges. Participants discussed various practical experiences implemented in the field and mechanisms for measuring their community impact.
Legislative Frameworks for Digital Child Protection
During the first session, titled “Digital Risks and Local and International Laws to Ensure a Safe Digital Environment for Children,” Mohamed Abdul Rahman Al Shahi, Head of Prosecution at the Sharjah Public Prosecution, discussed national legal frameworks aimed at protecting children from cyber violations. He pointed out that the UAE has established advanced legal frameworks to combat any harmful practices that may affect children in the digital environment.
Among the key regulations mentioned was Federal Law No. (5) of 2012 regarding combating computer crimes, which was later replaced by Federal Decree Law No. (34) of 2021 concerning the combat of rumors and cybercrimes. This law includes provisions specifically targeting child protection, criminalizing actions involving technology, such as seduction or grooming, as well as creating and sharing inappropriate content.
Al Shahi underscored that the effectiveness of laws lies not only in their texts but also in the awareness of institutions and individuals about them. He explained that the application of these regulations requires a comprehensive system that includes ongoing training for educational and social personnel and enhances the role of media in raising legal awareness among parents and youth. He stressed that prevention starts with the community’s understanding of the risks associated with technology and safe usage methods, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts between judicial bodies and those involved in education, media, and technology in creating effective awareness interventions to protect children from digital infringements.
The Role of International Organizations in Protection Efforts
Saji Thomas, Head of Child Protection at UNICEF-Gulf, discussed the necessity of creating an integrated and coordinated environment in addressing children’s digital safety issues. He stressed that while individual initiatives are important, they often lack a comprehensive framework ensuring their sustainability and effectiveness.
Thomas noted that the challenge lies not just in launching initiatives but in ensuring their sustainability and alignment with the cultural and societal contexts of the region. He mentioned that the Gulf region is experiencing rapid digital growth but still requires building local capacities in digital governance, complaint management, and psychological response for children and caregivers. He advocated for increased regional cooperation to create unified support networks that would coordinate efforts and yield tangible outcomes, emphasizing the investment in training professionals and providing effective help lines to facilitate children’s access without barriers.
Digital Well-being Charter for Children: A National Pioneer Model
In the third section of the session, Amina Al Hosani, Senior Specialist at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, presented a detailed overview of the “Digital Well-being Charter for Children.” This initiative is considered one of the leading national projects aimed at enhancing digital protection for children and was launched by the authority in collaboration with several public and private entities as part of a comprehensive vision to support the digital quality of life for children in the UAE.
Al Hosani explained that the charter is based on three core objectives: protecting children while they use digital technologies and platforms, enhancing their digital privacy through precise technical and operational measures, and establishing long-term strategic partnerships with various stakeholders to ensure sustainable impact.
The charter encompasses four fundamental principles: First, institutions must commit to the highest standards of digital safety in their content and services to protect children from potential physical or psychological harm. Second, children’s data protection and cybersecurity must be a top priority. Third, transparency should be upheld through voluntary reporting mechanisms and joint oversight evaluations. Lastly, it encourages collaborative research and investment in preventive innovation to tackle future digital risks.
Al Hosani also shared that the charter has currently included nine global technology companies and social media platforms as core members, alongside five federal and local governmental entities as strategic partners, including the Ministry of Interior, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Authority, and the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
She concluded by affirming that the charter goes beyond establishing general principles; it actively identifies yearly practical areas directing all related programs and initiatives, with three priorities set for 2025: monitoring digital content aimed at children, enhancing digital privacy protections for young users, and supporting technical innovation in designing child-friendly digital products, as well as developing effective response tools to digital incidents and reporting mechanisms.
Sharjah’s Approach: Empowering Children to Participate in Awareness
Wrapping up the session, Fatima Al Marzouqi presented the Sharjah Social Services Department’s initiative in digital awareness for children through the “Digital Life Ambassadors” program, which aims to prepare children to be advocates for awareness among their peers.
Al Marzouqi emphasized that the initiative is not limited to training children on smart device usage; it aims to instill concepts of leadership and social responsibility in youth. They are trained to convey awareness messages in a simple and practical language that suits their daily digital environment. This approach empowers children to be active partners in awareness, enhancing their self-confidence and making educational messages more impactful among their peers. She added that school administrations have shown significant interest in the initiative, requesting its incorporation into complementary activities—an evident indication of the model’s effectiveness and its alignment with both school and community environments.