Guide launched to help parents protect kids against online risks in UAE

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Guide, launched, help, parents, protect, kids, online risks, UAE

Abu Dhabi - The 37-page PDF provides a holistic approach on how to navigate potential threats and risks relating to online and digital platforms for children.

by

Ashwani Kumar

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Published: Sat 22 Aug 2020, 4:00 PM

Last updated: Sun 23 Aug 2020, 10:35 AM

Local authorities on Saturday introduced a set of guidelines for parents to ensure the child's online safety. With children's over-dependence on devices in the pandemic era - for online classes and ongoing summer vacation - parents are anxious about the digital pitfalls their offspring might fall into.
The UAE's first-ever 40-point 'Child Online Protection Guide' was launched by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) and answers all questions bothering parents and offers a few tips to become a great tech role model.
The 37-page PDF provides a holistic approach on how to navigate potential threats and risks relating to online and digital platforms for children at an early age and beyond.
Split into 10 chapters, the guide elaborates about the risks and benefits of online activity for kids, using safe internet search engines, family digital contracts and agreements, internet of things and more.
The guide, released as part of Takween Summer Programme 2020, noted that 99 per cent of the UAE population is active on social media and hence at greater risk too.
"With the high rates of internet usage in the UAE, and the fact that more children are engaging in online activity than ever before, the guide is intended to signpost parents towards developing good digital habits and provide local and international resources to ensure they can fulfil their responsibility in keeping their children safe online."
The guide pointed out that online predators are constantly looking for opportunities to exploit children. There are many potential risks resulting from children's use of the internet and electronic games, such as cyberbullying and child abuse.
"Predators use technology as a gateway to achieving their goals and will be aware of the loopholes they can take advantage of to gain access to children online. The guide aims to help parents understand the ways in which they can support their children by creating safe, structured and healthy online activity for their child in the early years and beyond."
The guide can be downloaded for free through the ECA website https://eca.gov.ae/ 
Some of the questions answered in the guide
>What can parents do against online child abuse?
>How can a child detect a fake account?
>Are there any friendly social media websites for kids?
>How much is too much screen time?
>How can parents use technology to protect kids?
>How can they report cases of online abuse?
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com 


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