Sharjah: The Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD) organized the 'Enough Violence' forum on Monday at Al Qasba Theatre, concentrating on the theme 'Together we protect their childhood in the digital space'. The event saw participation from approximately 150 specialists in fields such as child welfare, education, digital protection, and awareness media, along with local and international representatives, parents, and individuals interested in educational and technological matters.
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum is a part of the department's initiatives to enhance community awareness regarding the digital threats children face due to the extensive use of the internet and social media. It also emphasized the collaborative roles of relevant local and international bodies in ensuring a safe digital environment for youth. Fatima Al Marzouqi, Director of the Child and Family Protection Centre at SSSD, inaugurated the forum, highlighting it as an interactive platform for fostering institutional and community cooperation.
Al Marzouqi underscored the importance of cultivating a safe digital space through awareness, responsible accompaniment, and smart guidance instead of restriction or isolation. She emphasized the necessity of genuine collaboration across educational, legislative, technological, and social sectors to make digital security a shared, long-term societal responsibility.
The forum featured two panel discussions that delved into digital risks, current legislation, and national and international initiatives to safeguard children in digital spaces. Participants also evaluated real-life institutional experiences and mechanisms for measuring their social impact. The first session, titled 'Digital Risks and Local and International Laws for a Safe Digital Environment for Children', included Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Shehhi, Head of Public Prosecution in Sharjah. He discussed the UAE's advanced legal framework aimed at protecting children from online violations, referencing key legislation such as Federal Law No. (5) of 2012, which was replaced by Federal Decree Law No. (34) of 2021 on combating rumours and cybercrimes.
Al Shehhi emphasized that the effectiveness of these laws relies on institutional and individual awareness, supported by continuous training, media engagement, and curriculum development. Saji Thomas, Head of Child Protection at UNICEF - Gulf, highlighted the necessity for an integrated and coordinated approach to child digital safety. He warned that while individual initiatives are beneficial, they often lack sustainability and noted that despite rapid digital advancements in the Gulf, the region still requires capacity-building in areas like digital governance, case reporting, and psychological support.
In a subsequent segment, Amina Al Hosani, Senior Specialist at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, introduced the 'Digital Wellbeing Charter for Children', a leading national initiative developed in collaboration with public and private entities to enhance children's digital wellbeing. The charter focuses on three main goals: protecting children during digital use, preserving their privacy, and establishing strategic partnerships.
Concluding the session, Fatima Al Marzouqi presented the Sharjah Social Services Department's 'Safe Digital Life Ambassadors' initiative, which educates children to be peer educators in digital safety. Beyond smart device usage, the initiative fosters leadership and social responsibility, encouraging children to convey awareness messages in a relatable and practical manner. The initiative has been well-received by school administrations, which have requested its integration into extracurricular programs, demonstrating its effectiveness and alignment with school and community environments.