In a significant move to enhance community well-being, the United Arab Emirates is adopting a comprehensive digital environment to improve the quality of life for individuals and society at large. The launch of innovative initiatives demonstrates the country’s commitment to creating a safe digital space, particularly for its youth. This approach aligns seamlessly with the UAE’s vision to integrate technological advancements into everyday life in a way that benefits all members of society.
Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Digital Quality of Life Council recently announced a groundbreaking feature aimed at protecting teenagers from inappropriate or unwanted content. This development is part of broader initiatives supporting the principles and values embraced by the UAE, ensuring a safe and age-appropriate digital experience.
Sheikh Saif emphasized that the UAE is committed to creating a comprehensive digital environment that boosts the quality of life for both individuals and communities. This dedication stems from the enlightened vision and strategic direction of the leadership, which focuses on building a digitally supported advanced development model that empowers people with the tools of the future.
He elaborated on the notion of digital quality of life in the UAE, noting that it transcends just accessing smart services or advanced infrastructure. It encompasses building a secure and balanced digital culture that safeguards current and future generations, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for positive interaction with evolving technologies. The goal is to establish a digital Emirati society based on values, awareness, and responsible citizenship, ensuring that the digital space supports growth, progress, and a global model that balances technological advancement with quality of life.
The introduction of this new digital feature is part of the UAE government’s commitment, alongside global social media platforms, to create a safer digital environment for teenagers. By enhancing their privacy, this initiative aims to improve their psychological and behavioral quality of life through a range of smart tools and settings that reduce exposure to negative content, creating a safe and sustainable digital environment that reflects the aspirations of the nation and meets the needs of future generations.
This innovative feature, set to launch on Instagram, a platform owned by Meta, utilizes algorithms to identify unwanted content for teenagers. It provides smart parental control tools while encouraging responsible and aware use of modern technologies, ultimately enhancing digital quality of life and reducing behavioral challenges linked to negative content.
During the event introducing this new feature, a youth forum was held with the participation of Sheikh Saif, alongside notable figures such as Sarah bint Yusuf Al Amiri, Minister of Education, Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice, and several other ministers and experts from various sectors. This gathering not only highlighted the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders but also emphasized the commitment to enhance digital safety for the youth.
A guide for using the new digital feature was also introduced. It equips parents with the necessary tools to engage their children in discussions about digital safety and explains the significance of the feature in protecting teenagers in the digital realm.
Additionally, a roundtable session was held with members of the Digital Quality of Life Council, experts, decision-makers, and private sector representatives to share insights and formulate recommendations that enhance integration across sectors. This aims to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions and create lasting impacts that align with future aspirations.
Discussions centered on the role of governments in establishing principles of safety and privacy, identifying potential gaps and challenges in Instagram’s policies, and improving measures related to digital safety and privacy for teenagers. The aim was also to promote the development of future national policy frameworks and strengthen collaboration with the private sector to ensure policies keep pace with future changes.
The Digital Quality of Life Council has been proactive in responding to ongoing changes in the digital landscape, both locally and globally, assessing their impact on governmental operations. The council focuses on aligning planning and efforts among government entities across the UAE to develop initiatives and programs that enhance the digital quality of life for all community segments. This includes reviewing legislation and assessing the need for updates in light of new proposals, as well as engaging with global institutions that focus on digital life quality and the safety of the digital community.