Sharjah Forum Sounds Alarm on Child Safety in Digital Age

As digital threats grow alongside technological advances, the “Enough Violence” forum in Sharjah has concluded with a strong message: children need urgent and robust protection online. Held under the theme “Together, We Protect Their Digital Childhood,” the event brought together educators, technology experts, policymakers, and families to address the rising risks children face in today’s connected world.

Organised by the Sharjah Social Services Department, the forum proposed comprehensive recommendations for schools, parents, tech companies, and regulators. These included integrating digital safety and citizenship into school curricula, appointing digital safety coordinators at schools, and promoting parental awareness about screen time and online habits.

Key Highlights and Proposals

• Digital Life Ambassadors Program: Launched in 2024, the initiative trains students to become digital safety leaders, with over 49 training sessions in areas like tech ethics and cybersecurity.

• Smart Monitoring in Schools: Alya Al Shamsi from the Sharjah Private Education Authority confirmed enhanced digital safety standards across 230 schools, including mandatory licensing for teachers.

• Local Hotline for Online Abuse: A proposed national reporting line aims to enable faster response to cyberbullying, online exploitation, and abuse.

• Family-Centric Guidance: Parents were urged to set screen-time limits, use parental controls, avoid social media for children under 13, and teach kids not to share passwords.

• Teacher Empowerment: Training sessions were recommended for teachers to better identify online risks and respond effectively.

• Policy and Research Push: Experts called for more local studies on the impact of technology on children and regular law updates to address cybercrimes against minors.

Warnings and Expert Insights

Captain Dr. Oshbah Hamad Al Ketbi of Sharjah Police emphasized that family support is the child’s first line of defense against online threats such as predators, scams, bullying, and blackmail. She urged parents to build trust so children feel safe discussing uncomfortable encounters online.

Jouelle Chamoun, a lecturer at the Higher Colleges of Technology, warned about the rise of “nomophobia”—the fear of being without a phone. She advocated for zero screen time for children under three, calling for digital detox programs and activities like reading and sports to help children reset healthy habits.

Cultural and Local Relevance

The forum stressed the need for localised online content that reflects UAE values, as well as the creation of parent-friendly guides to manage digital usage at home. These efforts are seen as essential in shaping a national strategy to protect digital childhoods and reinforce public-private collaboration for long-term impact.