During a Ramadan gathering organized by Al Khaleej at the home of the late Mohammed Al Mulla
Participants in the Ramadan Majlis, organized by Al Khaleej at the home of the late Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla, emphasized the need to restrict children and teenagers’ access to social media, either by imposing legal restrictions prohibiting underage users from creating accounts, or by tightening family supervision and raising awareness about the importance of responsible use of these sites.
In the Majlis, titled “Social Media and Family Safety,” participants called for preserving family cohesion in light of the influence of social media and achieving a balance between digital and real life through open communication and ongoing parental guidance.
Participants in the Majlis, moderated by Manal Al Jawhari of Dubai Police, believed that social media is a powerful tool with many benefits, but it can also carry risks that threaten families and children if not used carefully. Therefore, it is essential to adopt strategies to protect children and teenagers from harmful content and cyberbullying, ensuring a safe and healthy digital environment for them.
Aisha Al Mulla, a former member of the Federal National Council, began the session by emphasizing that social media has become an influential tool in shaping children’s development. With its increasing negative impact, there are growing calls for strict restrictions on its use by children and adolescents under the age of 18, as it poses a threat to mental and behavioral health, particularly in relation to digital addiction, low self-esteem due to social comparisons, and exposure to inappropriate content.
She added that in light of these challenges, the responsibility falls on governments, technology companies, and families, to create a safe digital environment that balances freedom of access to information and protects young people from the negative effects of social media.
Keeping Children Away
Lawyer Alia Al Ameri highlighted the need to keep children away from social media, which has become a significant time-consuming tool, alienating them from family customs and traditions. She emphasized that these platforms are no longer merely tools for communication and entertainment, but have become a fertile environment for spreading negative behaviors that could impact younger generations. She reviewed a number of cases in which families were affected by these sites, including a shocking case involving a mother who sought legal counsel after discovering that her daughter had stolen valuables from home to buy drugs. The mother explained that she had not known her daughter was addicted, but after investigating, it became clear that she had met a suspicious group through social media who were supplying her with drugs in an unexpected manner. They used drones to deliver prohibited substances to her balcony without anyone noticing.
She emphasized that this incident reflects a dangerous aspect of the influence of social media on young people, especially when it is exploited to lure them into dangerous circles of deviance and addiction. She called for strict restrictions on the use of these sites by children and adolescents and for increased parental supervision.
The Impact of Social Media
Amina Ibrahim said that social media poses a new challenge to family relationships, as it can affect family cohesion. On the one hand, it allows families to stay in constant contact, especially given the distances and daily preoccupations. On the other hand, it can lead to a lack of direct interaction between family members, potentially causing social disintegration within the home.
Marwa Al Rahma said that social media contributes to influencing values and traditions by exposing children to content that may not be in line with societal norms. This is in addition to the risk of digital addiction, which impacts academic performance and social activities. Another prominent risk is the electronic exploitation that children and adolescents may be exposed to through communication with unknown individuals, as well as the possibility of them accessing inappropriate content that influences their behavior and attitudes. She emphasized the importance of activating parental control tools on devices and applications, and setting specific times for using social media to avoid digital addiction. Asmaa Al-Muhairi called for achieving a balance between the conscious use of social media and maintaining authentic interaction within the family. This includes setting controls over their use and monitoring children’s digital activities without violating their privacy to ensure they do not communicate with unknown individuals who may pose a threat. Children should be taught not to share personal information and to interact cautiously with content and posts.
Children’s Awareness
Fatima Bou Ghanim said that parents should talk to their children about the challenges they may face online, such as inappropriate content, communicating with strangers, and cyberbullying. It is also important for parents to set an example in using technology in a balanced manner.
Nadra Al-Awadhi spoke about the importance of smart monitoring, which does not mean intrusion or violating privacy, but rather aims to ensure a safe environment for children while browsing the internet. This can be achieved by setting clear rules for the use of smart devices and determining the type of content that can be monitored. It is also preferable to monitor children’s online activities indirectly and ensure they do not communicate with unknown individuals. She emphasized that digital education requires joint cooperation between parents, schools, and the community to ensure a safe environment that enables children to benefit from the internet without being exposed to risks.
Religious Insight
Nawal Al-Shuhi believes that religious insight is one of the foundations that helps guide children toward the proper and responsible use of social media. It instills in them moral values and principles that protect them from the risks associated with the digital world. When children are aware of the ethical boundaries derived from religious teachings, this helps control their behavior and makes them more aware of avoiding inappropriate content.
She added that raising children on religious principles in a positive manner instills self-control in them and teaches them that God sees them at all times and in all places, making them more committed to sound values even in the absence of direct parental supervision. Religious guidance also helps children interact with others with good morals, respect privacy, and refrain from spreading rumors or offensive content. Digital Crimes
Safaa Ali Al Nazr stated that strict legislation and laws work to reduce digital crimes, such as cybercrimes, defamation, blackmail, and the spread of fake news. The UAE has issued a cybercrime law that includes severe penalties for any violation related to illegal internet use, with the aim of preserving digital security and protecting individuals from cyber risks.
With regard to the anti-defamation and cyberblackmail laws, strict penalties are imposed on anyone who uses the internet to abuse others, whether by publishing personal information without permission, posting offensive photos and videos, or threatening individuals with content that could harm their reputation. Penalties range from fines to imprisonment.
She noted that relevant authorities, such as the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), the Digital Government, Dubai Police, and the Cybersecurity Council, play a significant role in raising awareness of the dangers of cybercrimes and protecting families from these threats. They launch awareness campaigns and provide online platforms for reporting cybercrimes easily and quickly. They also collaborate with educational institutions to spread a culture of digital security among students. Family Distancing
Maryam Ali emphasized the need for parents to take practical steps to enhance direct communication with their children by allocating time daily for interaction away from digital devices, such as organizing family gatherings or shared activities. They should also set clear limits on internet use and allocate times for family interaction and daily activities. Furthermore, rules should be set for social media use at home, such as not using devices during meals or bedtime.
