UAE: Ministry of Interior unveils channels for children to report online abuse
The Ministry of Interior has initiated a nationwide campaign aimed at safeguarding children online, launched alongside World Safe Internet Day.
Dubbed "Together for a Safer Internet for Our Children," the campaign's primary objective is to foster awareness across society concerning the challenges and perils children encounter online. It endeavors to educate both children and adults about safe internet practices, cyberbullying, and the hazards of electronic piracy.
The Ministry of Interior's Child Protection Center Director, Major Khaled Al-Kaabi, emphasized how simple it is for kids to report online crimes or occurrences via a variety of channels, such as the My Protection smartphone app and the hotline 116111. Al-Kaabi emphasized the center's 24/7 availability to accept and address reports of abuse or exploitation, stressing its willingness to immediately and privately resolve any such reports.
Furthermore, Al-Kaabi emphasized the paramount importance placed on children's safety and security, with the national campaign operating in collaboration with governmental and private sector entities dedicated to child welfare. This joint effort aims to fortify child protection measures within the digital realm. The 20-day campaign seeks to elevate awareness about safe internet practices and empower parents to monitor their children's online activities more effectively. Al-Kaabi noted the Ministry's proactive initiatives to educate parents on supervising their children's internet usage.
The campaign encompasses a diverse range of activities, including lectures targeting children, parents, and various societal groups, conducted in shopping centers, airports, schools, and other public venues. Al-Kaabi stressed the collective responsibility shared among families and stakeholders in ensuring child protection, advocating for heightened parental oversight and collaborative partnerships to bolster safeguards in cyberspace.
The initiative utilizes multiple channels to disseminate awareness, including electronic displays at airports, gas stations, and tourist destinations, along with educational publications and advertisements. Additionally, a smart reporting system facilitates reporting child-related incidents through visual, audio, and print media, as well as social platforms. Various reporting avenues are provided by the Ministry of Interior, including the hotline (116111), the ministry's website, email, the Hemayati application, and the emergency hotline (999) for urgent cases.
