UAE Cybersecurity Council: Don’t let your children communicate with strangers online

Abu Dhab: The UAE Cybersecurity Council has raised an alarm over the increasing danger of online interactions between children and strangers, particularly highlighting the risks of cyberbullying.

According to recent findings, one in every three children in the UAE has been contacted by strangers online. The Council is urging parents to take immediate action to protect their children in the digital space.

The Council outlined three key security measures to help safeguard children from online dangers.

Limit app permissions and block unknown or suspicious contacts.

Set daily screen time limits and block harmful websites and inappropriate content.

Regularly review your child’s online interactions and educate them on recognising strangers and avoiding unsafe links.

Digital safety

These measures are essential in creating a strong foundation for digital safety, ensuring that children’s devices and personal data remain secure.

The Council also warned of the growing threat posed by fraud operations using deepfake technology.

This AI-powered tool generates highly realistic but fake videos that are difficult to distinguish from real content. Children, due to their trusting nature, are particularly vulnerable to such scams, which can lead to stolen personal information, family account breaches, and even blackmail. The Cybersecurity Council emphasised the importance of teaching children how to spot deepfake videos and avoid falling for online scams.

The Abu Dhabi Police also stressed the importance of guiding children on the safe use of electronic devices, particularly during school holidays. They urged parents to carefully monitor their children’s online behaviour, especially teens, and to promote engaging offline activities to reduce excessive screen time.

Parents are also advised to avoid purchasing electronic games from unreliable websites, which could expose them to fraud and unauthorised access to their bank accounts.

Dr Azizah Almaghyuli, a Clinical Psychologist at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, discussed the long-lasting effects of bullying on children’s mental health. “Bullying can cause anxiety, depression, and physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches. In severe cases, it can lead to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Both victims and bystanders experience psychological consequences, such as guilt or helplessness.

“Bullying can impact a child’s self-esteem, emotional well-being, and social relationships. It can also lead to significant emotional and physical harm”.

Professor and lawyer Dr Fatima Al Neyadi also discussed the serious effects of online bullying. She pointed out that cyberbullying can exacerbate issues such as anxiety and depression, making it harder for victims to concentrate at school. This can lead to academic challenges and a decline in mental and physical health, social isolation, and a loss of self-esteem.

Strangers can exploit the anonymity of digital platforms to deceive and manipulate children. Dr. Al Neyadi outlined some common threats:

Predators can create fake identities to appear as trusted individuals.

Children often do not recognise the dangers of sharing personal information online.

Predators use manipulation, such as offering gifts or pretending to share interests, to gain a child’s trust.

Many social media and gaming apps lack adequate safeguards.

Cyberbullying involves using digital platforms to harm, intimidate, or humiliate another person. It can take the form of hurtful messages, embarrassing photos, or malicious social media posts. Children who are cyberbullied may feel angry, sad, or scared and often hesitate to speak up due to fear of worsening the situation.

The Abu Dhabi Police encourage the community to help prevent cybercrimes by reaching out to authorities via the toll-free number 8002626 (AMAN2626), text messages to 2828, or emailing aman@adpolice.gov.ae. The “AMAN” platform is dedicated to promoting public safety by partnering with the community.