Protect your kids from online perils

Fathima Zenofer, founder of Zen Productions, releases her documentary short film The Peril, which is a wake up call to parents about Internet safety for kids

A  new documentary short film that aims to raise awareness on the unseen dangers of children using digital technology was released in Dubai on Wednesday.
Founder of Zen Productions, Fathima Zenofer, premiered her documentary short film titled The Peril, at The Marriott Hotel, Al Jaddaf, Dubai. The event was attended by a number of dignitaries including Suhail Mohammed Al Zarooni, Emirati entrepreneur and philanthropist, and Yasser Al Gergawi, Director of Cultural Events, Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, Dubai, and others.
Following on from Zenofer's previous works, Inertia and Selfie, which focused on social media awareness, The Peril showcases the importance of children's safety on the Internet.
We speak to Zenofer to find out why the powerful message (in her film) is apt for today's society and how it reflects on the future of our children.

The inspiration
"In an era of tablets, smartphones and touchscreens, more and more children have increasing digital presence. This inevitably translates to increased exposure to the possible perils of the digital world," said Zenofer.  
"Late last year, UNICEF released its first comprehensive report on the well-being of children in the digital space titled, The State of the World's Children 2017: Children in a Digital World. The report found that despite children's massive online presence, wherein one in three Internet users worldwide is a child, very little is being done to protect them from the dangers of cyberspace. The report also examines how the Internet increases children's vulnerability to risks and harm, including misuse of their private information, access to harmful content, and cyberbullying," she added.
Talking about inspiration behind this film, she explained, "It was from this (UNICEF) report that I started to listen and observe the situation around me. With my eyes and ears open, I was then introduced, via local news, to the fatal effects of the online game Blue Whale. I couldn't believe that a digital game could be so powerfully manipulative that it would result in so many suicides," said Zenofer
"The next trigger was when I went out with my family for dinner. I  saw a family at a dining table, each member with a form of computer tablet, watching cartoons. I thought, why are they on a computer while eating, and not enjoying the food or talking with each other?  Why are they not absorbing the ambience and the experience? This is what inspired me to produce a film that would showcase how being online could cause a disconnection between the people we love and ourselves," she added.
Through this film, Zenofer has emphasised that as parents, we must take responsibility for our children's safety online. We must teach them how to navigate the Internet in a responsible and safe manner.  
However, Zenofer believes that there are many benefits of digital technology, as well as disadvantages. If we become role models and help our children to find a healthy balance online, it will allow us to preserve the positive elements of digital technology, like getting easy access to information or finding a great way to do business networking.
The Peril can be viewed on the YouTube channel - House of Zen.
Dr. Alka Kalra, Academic Director of the Eduscan Group, who spoke during the premiere of The Peril said, "One of the reasons for our children craving digital stimulus is because in today's society, the need to be stimulated is so high with so much content, on and off line, and children's concentration levels are also low.
"If you give a child a book today that is in black and white print with no pictures, they won't be excited  because they are so used to the different dynamics of digital content being given to them on a plate. We need to teach our children to be okay with just one feeling, just one experience. This will teach them self-awareness, patience, concentration and make them, overall, children who are not addicted to being online," Kalra added. "As parents we have a great responsibility to play in that," she said.
What The Peril is about
The Peril's plot is based around a father-daughter relationship. As they go on vacation together we see the father (played by Arjun Raman), a businessman, attempting to achieve a work-life balance. During stressful times, we see how easy it is for the father to give into the child's (Ankritha Rashmeeth) needs and push away the problem, utilising digital content
crystal@khaleejtimes.com