UAE: Child abusers must face harsher penalties, faster legal action, say advocates

Global child protection leaders are calling for stricter penalties for online predators and abusers, arguing that current legal systems are failing to adequately deter crimes against children in digital spaces.

Governments must toughen penalties for cyber-enabled child abuse, urged Pragathi Tummala, CEO of the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), during a session on child protection and online safety, at the World Police Summit in Dubai.

“In countries like the United States, the maximum sentence for some forms of child abuse is just seven years,” said Tummala. “That’s simply not enough. Harsher penalties would make offenders think twice before exploiting children online.”

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Online child abuse can take many forms, including grooming, sextortion, cyberbullying, live-streamed abuse, and the production, sharing, or possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Offenders often exploit social media, gaming platforms, and encrypted messaging apps to target and manipulate vulnerable children.

Tummala also raised concerns about the slow pace of action against child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online, pointing out that some hosting platforms or enablers aren’t treated with the same seriousness as the offenders themselves.

“We're struggling to take down this content fast enough, and the people hosting or facilitating this material aren’t always charged appropriately. The laws need to reflect the gravity of these crimes,” she added.

In the United States, federal penalties for online child exploitation vary but can include 5 to 15 years for sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor, depending on the case. Despite these penalties, experts argue that the digital environment makes abuse harder to track and prosecute effectively, especially when platforms are slow to cooperate or act.

In the UAE, under Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 (Wadeema’s Law), penalties for online child exploitation are among the most severe, with up to Dh 1 million in fines for digital exploitation of children.

Simon Bailey CBE QPM, Chair of the International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute, highlighted the evolving nature of online threats.

“Children no longer distinguish between their physical and online lives,” he said. “We need to talk to them, listen to their experiences online, and engage them in shaping safety policies.”

Bailey emphasised that schools must align with parents and caregivers in delivering unified messages about both online risks and safe digital behaviors.

Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen, Executive Director of Protect Children and Chair of Interpol’s Offender Management Subgroup, likened the online environment to public roads:

“We teach kids traffic safety. We don’t let them cross highways alone. But when it comes to the internet, we hand them devices without rules. The online world is a social environment, not just a device,” she said. “Online safety education should begin even before children use digital tools.”

Dr Elodie Tranchez from United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) pointed out that children from communities with fewer resources face added risks, particularly with limited access to digital education. “We must ensure all children have equal access to digital safety tools, regardless of social or economic background,” she said. “Inclusion and early education are crucial.”

• Dubai

Waad Barakat

Staff Writer

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waad@khaleejtimes.com

Waad Barakat is a Special Correspondent covering security topics, from law enforcement to local courts. With a keen eye for human interest stories, she hopes to blend it all with unique Gen Z-inspired content.