Don't let kids fall prey to extremists, warns UAE authority

Abu Dhabi - Parents should treat children with affection and kindness and protect them from isolation and despair, said the authority.

Isolated children are more likely to fall prey to extremists, warned Sawab Centre, the UAE's online engagement initiative supporting global coalition against extremism.

Parents should treat children with affection and kindness and protect them from isolation and despair, said the authority.

"Extremists prepare their victims for indoctrination by isolating them and breaking their family ties. It is our job to stay close to each member of our family and seek to understand what is going on in their life,” tweeted Sawab Centre.

“The deluded followers cannot influence a child growing up in a united family, where parents and children have honest discussions about their opinions and ideas. You are the key to their safety and protection."

Staying rooted to your values, identity and family will protect you from the storms of life, added the authority.

The centre also urged parents to be aware and keep an eye on who their children interact with through online platforms. Leaving children unsupervised while they are on social media or playing games online could make them an 'easy target' for extremists. Young kids remain particularly vulnerable as they are likely to spend more time online,” said Sawab Centre.

Parents were also reminded to warn their children about the dangers of online radicalism and to stay away from such sources.

Sawab Centre also advised families to engage their children through reading stressing that research has shown that every day reading has a significant positive effect on their cognitive skills — language and literacy, numeracy and cognition — later in life.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi