Growing reliance on technology in daily life necessitates the establishment of clear frameworks and effective mechanisms to safeguard children from harmful content and rising digital challenges. Signing the Children’s Digital Wellbeing Pact aligns with national efforts to promote a secure and balanced digital environment for children, in line with the country’s leadership directives. As a reflection of dedication to this cause, a leading role in developing and implementing the UAE’s inaugural Children’s Digital Wellbeing Pact is undertaken, emphasizing meaningful engagement with governments, partners, and parents to prioritize the safety and privacy of young individuals using digital platforms in the UAE.
The Pact aims to develop concrete mechanisms shielding children from physical and psychological harm, as well as bolstering supervision of digital content aimed at them. It further fosters collaboration among various stakeholders to ensure the highest standards of digital safety for children, encompassing the protection of their data to uphold privacy and safety within the digital realm. The signing of the UAE Children’s Digital Wellbeing Pact took place during the World Government Summit in Dubai and was witnessed by prominent figures including Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, and Sana bint Mohammed Suhail.
With a focus on the current risks to children’s online safety and wellbeing, the Pact plays a crucial role in building a secure and prosperous society through technology by emphasizing effective strategies to minimize the propagation of harmful content across different age groups. It supports digital literacy programs and educational initiatives to equip children and parents with necessary skills for safe online browsing. Protecting children in the digital realm is highlighted as a shared responsibility, underlining cooperative efforts among sectors to maintain a space that balances access to information with ensuring children's safety from electronic risks.
Facilitated by the Digital Wellbeing Council and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, the Pact is the first of its kind in the region, uniting several key stakeholders including technology and content platforms, social media channels, and telecommunication service providers. Membership includes significant players in the industry like Snapchat, Meta, Google, TikTok, and others. The Pact will drive the exchange of expertise and research investment to tackle emerging risks posed by technological advancements, aiming to create a safer online environment for children.
The comprehensive approach of the Pact includes measures to verify users' age before displaying content, establish strategies to enhance user privacy protection, and comply with data protection regulations rigorously. It also focuses on incident response mechanisms to address cyber threats promptly, particularly those affecting children. Addressing issues like cyberbullying and harmful online content, the Pact strives to promote transparency through continuous reporting and evaluation mechanisms following global leading practices while safeguarding children from digital risks.
