When the internet becomes a threat: Sharjah forum tackles child safety online

Sharjah: Sharjah’s “Enough Violence” forum wrapped up this week with a powerful message: children need more protection in the digital world. Held under the theme “Together, We Protect Their Digital Childhood,” the event brought together educators, tech experts, and parents to find better ways to keep children safe online.

Organised by the Sharjah Social Services Department, the forum ended with a list of practical recommendations—most aimed at schools, families, and tech companies.

One major proposal was to include digital safety and citizenship in school lessons and to appoint a safety coordinator in every school. Parents, too, were encouraged to learn how to guide their children’s screen time and online behavior.

Among other ideas: expand the “Digital Life Ambassadors” program, use digital mental health tools to support students and teachers, and host events like “Digital Week” to spread awareness. The forum also called for a national hotline to report online abuse, more Emirati professionals in digital education, and regular updates to laws on cybercrimes targeting children.

Speakers stressed the central role of families in digital safety. Parents were urged to use parental controls, limit screen time by age, and check what apps or sites their children visit. They were also reminded to teach kids not to share passwords—even with friends.

The forum warned against downloading unknown files or clicking suspicious links. It advised delaying access to social media until at least age 13 and training teachers to deal with online risks. A national strategy was also proposed, with support from all sectors of society.

There were strong calls for more local research on how the digital world affects children and for using that data to shape public policies. Experts also recommended long-term media campaigns, kid-friendly reporting tools, and quick-response teams to handle emergencies.

One standout recommendation was to create more local content that reflects UAE values and culture. Families, they said, need an easy-to-follow guidebook on how to manage smart device use at home.

Captain Dr. Oshbah Hamad Al Ketbi of Sharjah Police reminded everyone that children are more likely to speak up when they feel safe and trusted at home.

She warned that rapid tech changes bring new dangers—such as online predators, harmful images, scams, bullying, and blackmail. Strong family support, she said, is key to helping children navigate these risks.

Jouelle Chamoun, a lecturer at the Higher Colleges of Technology, raised concern about “nomophobia”—the fear of being without a phone. It’s becoming common among both children and adults, she said, and in some cases, kids even throw tantrums when devices are taken away.

She recommended banning screen time entirely for children under three, and instead encouraging activities like reading, drawing, and sports. Chamoun described phone addiction as a growing “social trend” that needs a digital detox—a break from screens to reset healthy habits.

She also urged teachers to play a stronger role through workshops and school sessions. Some popular games, like Roblox, need better age regulation, she said, warning of content that may not be safe for young users.

Alya Al Shamsi, a compliance expert at the Sharjah Private Education Authority, shared the authority’s efforts to monitor and improve digital safety in 230 schools. Teachers now have to pass licensing exams, and schools are required to follow new rules promoting respectful and safe online behavior.

In the final session, social education specialist Jawaher Abdullah introduced the “Digital Life Ambassadors” program—launched in 2024 to celebrate Safer Internet Day.

The initiative trains students in leadership and responsible online behavior. Participants, chosen with care, attended more than 49 training sessions, including workshops on digital well-being, tech transformation, and cybersecurity.