On February 13, 2025, during the World Government Summit in Dubai, key government officials and representatives from leading technology companies gathered to sign the UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact. This initiative aims to protect children in the digital realm by fostering a safe online environment and minimizing exposure to harmful content.
Key Figures Present
-
H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan: Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, and Chairman of the Digital Wellbeing Council.
-
H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama: Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
-
H.E. Sana bint Mohamed Suhail: Minister of Family Affairs and Director General of the Early Childhood Authority (ECA).
The Need for the Pact
Recent studies have highlighted significant risks to children's online safety:
-
Health Concerns: Exceeding two hours of screen time daily can increase the likelihood of higher blood pressure and Type 2 Diabetes in children.
-
Cyberbullying: Approximately 33% of children in the UAE reported being bullied online in 2019.
The Pact addresses these issues by promoting a secure online environment and protecting children from cyberbullying.
Statements from Leaders
H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized the collective responsibility in safeguarding children digitally, stating the necessity for clear frameworks to protect them from online risks. He highlighted the importance of balancing access to information with ensuring safety.
H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, reiterated the priority of enhancing children's digital quality of life, linking it directly to building a secure and prosperous society.
Collaborating Entities
The Pact, the first of its kind in the region, was facilitated by the Digital Wellbeing Council and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority. Strategic partners include the Office of International Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, and the Office of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Notable technology and content platforms participating as members of the Pact are:
-
Snapchat (leading member for the first year)
-
Meta
-
Google
-
TikTok
-
X
-
Yango
-
Samsung
-
e&
-
du
Objectives of the Pact
The Pact aims to:
-
Develop mechanisms to protect children from physical and psychological harm.
-
Enhance supervision of digital content targeting children.
-
Protect children's data, ensuring privacy within the digital ecosystem.
-
Promote transparency through continuous reporting and evaluation.
-
Develop strategies to reduce the promotion of harmful content, considering different age groups.
Supporting Digital Literacy
The Pact supports digital literacy programs and educational initiatives to equip children and parents with skills for safe online navigation. It also facilitates the exchange of expertise and investment in research to address emerging technological risks.
Advanced Technological Methods
The Pact encourages:
-
Developing tools to verify users' ages before displaying content.
-
Establishing best practices to enhance user privacy protection, focusing on children's data.
-
Ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.
-
Identifying incident response mechanisms to address emerging cyber threats affecting children.
Conclusion
The UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact represents a significant step toward creating a safer digital environment for children. Through collaboration between government entities and private organizations, the initiative seeks to build a sustainable digital society that prioritizes the needs and safety of future generations.
