Online Risks for Kids Aged 8-16: Guidelines for UAE Parents to Protect Their Children from Digital Abuse
In the digital age, ensuring the safety of children online has become a pressing concern for parents, schools, and society as a whole. This week, eight individuals were convicted in Abu Dhabi for online child sexual exploitation, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and education.
Experts recommend a proactive approach to online safety, starting with early media education. Children, particularly those aged 13 to 16, are often the most emotionally vulnerable and can be easy targets for online predators. To help children act quickly when encountering online threats, the STOP method is recommended: Stop replying to suspicious messages, take screenshots, obtain help, and protect & report.
Um Kulthum, a mother of six, controls the apps her children have access to and manages screen time using device settings. She believes in guidance and balance, advocating that children should not be completely deprived of technology. Reem, a father, prioritizes building trust with his daughter from a young age to ensure she feels comfortable discussing any digital safety concerns with him.
Um Kulthum also teaches her children to express themselves and discuss any digital safety concerns with her. She gradually increases the amount of time her children can use the iPad each year to prevent addiction. Asmahan Saleh Khalil, an assistant professor at Zayed University and child psychologist at the Free Spirit group, suggests strategies for parents to ensure online safety for their children, such as co-playing and co-viewing, learning privacy settings, and building a safe reporting system at home.
Schools also play a crucial role in this endeavour. Dr Shaju George, a psychiatrist at International Modern Hospital Dubai, emphasizes the importance of integrating digital safety and media literacy into school curricula. He suggests organizing workshops for students, teachers, and parents on cyberbullying, online grooming, and safe internet use.
Society and organizations also have a significant part to play. They can raise awareness and provide support by organizing public campaigns, partnering with technology companies, and providing helplines and support services for victims of online exploitation. Dr Shaju George stresses the importance of having clear and reliable reporting mechanisms for children when they encounter online threats.
In conclusion, protecting children online is a collaborative effort that requires the involvement of parents, schools, and society. By promoting early media education, raising awareness about online risks, establishing clear rules, activating privacy settings, teaching children how to recognize and respond to cyberbullying and online scams, maintaining open communication, creating safe online environments, and integrating digital safety into school curricula, we can help ensure a safer digital future for our children.
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