Emphasizing the importance of awareness, the council identified it as a cornerstone of the digital safety framework.
Dubai: The Child Digital Safety Council held its inaugural meeting today, marking a key step in establishing a coordinated national effort to protect children and support their balanced development in the digital world. The initiative is built on a collaborative framework that integrates the efforts of all relevant entities.
During the meeting, the Council outlined its competencies and adopted a governance framework and operational mechanisms to ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities. This approach combines regulatory measures with awareness initiatives, in alignment with the Federal Decree-Law on Child Digital Safety.
Sana Suhail, Minister of Family and Chair of the Child Digital Safety Council, said: “In line with the directives of our wise leadership to protect families and children, this meeting marks a pivotal step towards creating an integrated national framework. Our aim is not only to shield children from growing digital risks but also to empower them to harness the vast opportunities of the digital space, thereby strengthening family bonds and contributing to social prosperity.”
The Council reached a consensus on developing a national classification system for digital platforms. The system will evaluate risk levels, content type, and age-appropriate suitability, while ensuring privacy protection, safe usage, and the safeguarding of children’s rights in the digital space.
Discussions also focused on the first priority track, targeting social media platforms. The Council will further study this track within the approved frameworks to balance protection requirements, the responsibilities of digital service providers, and the role of families in guiding and supervising children online.
This effort is part of an integrated approach that clarifies the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in child digital safety, including digital service providers, caregivers, and families, each operating within their respective scope of authority.
The Council emphasized awareness as a key pillar of the digital safety system. This includes supporting awareness campaigns, equipping families with tools for safe digital use, promoting children’s digital rights, and encouraging responsible online behaviour.
The initiative aims to build effective collaborations among government bodies, digital service providers, and society, enhancing early prevention, reducing digital risks, and supporting children’s overall well-being.
The Council noted that the outcomes of this phase will be presented to the Education and Human Resources Council for review and approval, ensuring alignment with national policies on childhood and family.
Moving forward, the Council will continue its work through regular meetings and specialized workstreams, collaborating with federal and local authorities and relevant partners to establish a comprehensive system that enhances children’s safety, supports families, and promotes the positive and responsible use of digital technologies.
Council members attending the meeting included:
- Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA)
- Lt. Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director General of the International Affairs Office at the Ministry of Interior
- Amna Al Saleh, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Curriculum and Assessment Sector at the Ministry of Education
- Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention
- H.E. Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Strategy and Media Policy Sector at the National Media Authority
- Ali Obaid Abdullah Makhlouf Al Naqbi, Public Prosecutor at the Inspection and Law Enforcement Department of the Federal Public Prosecution
- Dr. Aref Sultan Al Hammadi, Acting Director General of Strategic and Digital Affairs at the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi
- Dr. Hessa Al Kaabi, Executive Director of the Special Projects and Partnerships Sector at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority
- Maitha Mohammed Al Shamsi, CEO of the Community Empowerment Sector at the Community Development Authority – Dubai
- Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Director General of the Child Safety Department – Sharjah
