UAE Ministry of Interior's Child Protection Center & ICDL distribute pocket guide on cyber safety to students

[October 27, 2013] - The UAE Ministry of Interior's Child Protection Center in cooperation with the ICDL GCC Foundation has distributed a free pocket guide to students across the UAE with the aim of educating them along with parents and teachers about cyber safety. The handbook contains 101 tips on internet etiquette and the responsible use of various social media websites and smart technologies.

Major General Nasser Lakhraibani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Child Protection, said: “The welfare of children has always been of paramount importance to the Ministry of Interior, which strives to support local and international efforts to protect children from various forms of abuse.”

Al Nuaimi further emphasized the focus of H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, to make the UAE a beacon of civilization and elevate its status as a role model in the region in protecting the rights and wellbeing of children and society through effective preventive and precautionary measures.  

“Child protection requires enhanced cooperation between government bodies and organizations, civil institutions and the private sector, as well as the building of strategic partnerships. In line with the efforts of the UAE Ministry of Interior's Child Protection Center to safeguard children, the free pocket guide was distributed to students across the UAE. The informative material must reach parents and teachers to explain to them the best ways to teach their children and students about the safe use of the internet. The free pocket guide was a major success among learning circles after it was distributed to students across the UAE during the ICDL Summer Camp 2013. The distribution of the guide is a significant step towards supporting government efforts to educate youths on the potential risks of the internet and social media channels,” Al Nuaimi added.

Lieutenant Colonel Faisal Mohammed Al Shammari, Director, Child Protection Center, Ministry of Interior, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee in charge of the Ministry of Interior's participation at the GITEX, said: “The pocket guide is intended to reach parents as well through their children to provide them with important information to educate their young ones on safe practices of using the internet and social networking websites. Parents are responsible for effectively communicating with their children via social media channels. They can connect with them on social networking websites in order to monitor their activities and acquaintances and guide them.”

“Protecting children and youths from cyber crimes is a multilateral responsibility. It begins at home and extends to the school, which plays an important role in nurturing children. Hence, it is vital to intensify joint efforts between the public and private sectors to adopt effective strategies for increasing public awareness on the nature of cyber crimes and the best ways to address them. Promoting cooperation with educational authorities will definitely have a great impact in ensuring the highest levels of safety for children and youths entering the virtual world to properly use the internet and social networking websites,” he added.

“The Ministry of Interior's Child Protection Center and The Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre have made great contributions towards the success of the pocket guide project. This initiative offers a complete reference for children and youths to positively benefit from the internet and social networks and stay away from possible abuses, something that has become alarmingly popular among various social circles, especially youths. We look forward through our cooperation with security and educational authorities to distribute the pocket guide to as many students in the UAE as possible. We are committed to working with the various authorities to promote social awareness on cyber security,” concluded Jamil Ezzo, Director General, ICDL GCC Foundation.

The informative material was prepared by the ICDL GCC Foundation and is endorsed by the Child Protection Center and the Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC).