Sharjah: The Child Safety Department (CSD), an affiliate of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, in partnership with the Khalifa Empowerment Program (Aqdar), has organised an event titled “My Safety in the Digital World” at “Al Qarayen Park 5” to educate children and parents about safe internet use, with the participation of a number of the CSD’s Cyber Safety Ambassadors.
The event was held as part of celebrating World Safer Internet Day and featured interactive activities that trained children to protect themselves in the digital world. The event witnessed participation from Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah, Sharjah Youth, and Sharjah Children, affiliates of the “Rubu’ Qarn Foundation,” and Al Amal School for the Deaf, an affiliate of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS).
Ms. Hanadi Al-Yafei, Director of the CSD, stressed the need to promote awareness of the safe use of the Internet due to the vast and renewable nature of the online world. The director highlighted the challenges children face when it comes to age-inappropriate content and the difficulty in controlling what is published or shared.
The Cyber Safety Ambassadors spoke on the threats children face when using the Internet unsafely and explained the basics and rules of digital safety, the steps to stay safe while browsing or subscribing to social media applications, and how to avoid exposure to electronic penetration or inappropriate content for their age.
Children and parents were given three interactive and educational activities, including workshops, games, and competitions, to familiarise participants with the internet safety rules so they could safeguard themselves from digital threats.
At the end of the event, the CSD honoured the Cyber Safety Ambassadors and participants who interacted with the activities, which included stages during which they solved puzzles and participated in creative and entertaining games and activities.