Yesterday, Monday, the Emirates Safer Internet Association, under the patronage and presence of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, organized the international conference “Children’s Well-Being in the Digital World”, which coincides with the world’s celebration of the International Safer Internet Day on February 9 of each year.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, said in his opening speech to the conference: “Children are accustomed to the digital world. They do not view digital technologies as external tools. Technology has been integrated into their lifestyle, and therefore they cannot live without it from their point of view. Our children are at multiple risks from other children and potential criminals.”
The Minister of Tolerance urged parents to be role models for their children in the safe use of the Internet, and for technology developers to ensure that the products they develop are suitable for users’ needs, taking into account security considerations, and to be keen to monitor and prevent threats or abuse.
For his part, Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity in the UAE Government, said that the first line of defense for electronic safety is to educate parents, guardians, and the family about the online dangers that they must share periodically with their children.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Mehyas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Safer Internet Association, explained that the conference coincides with the celebration of the International Safer Internet Day, with the participation of international speakers in digital disciplines.
Engineer Adel Salem Al-Kaf Al-Hashimi, Chairman of the Conference and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Safer Internet Society, said that one of the most important goals of the conference is to protect children from the dangers of the Internet, educate them and their families, and achieve digital safety, to ensure the protection of members of the UAE community.
“We must think of ways to responsibly employ the tools and channels of the digital world at all levels of institutions,” said Dr. Bushra Abdullah Muhammad Al Mulla, Director General of the Family Welfare Authority. (wam)