Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (WAM)
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has launched a collaborative media campaign with the UAE Media Council and TikTok focused on "Family Online Safety".
This initiative aims to raise community awareness and promote safe browsing practices for children and families on websites and social media platforms.
The collaborative campaign launched by TDRA features a series of short awareness videos designed to educate children and families on safe usage of digital platforms, focusing on topics such as privacy, online gaming, cyberbullying, screen time management, and parental control tools.
The campaign enlisted the participation of social media influencers who shared their experiences using digital platforms, highlighting challenges and the importance of safe use practices. Additionally, collaboration was established with cinemas, theatres, and television channels across the country to support the community initiative under the slogan of "Family Online Safety".
Commenting on the campaign launch, Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, TDRA Director General, said, “TDRA actively fulfills its societal role as outlined in its institutional strategies and values. With a strong focus on various segments of society, TDRA prioritises children and families by launching awareness initiatives and programmes aimed at enhancing their online safety.”
Al Mesmar added, “The UAE society is undoubtedly one of the most internet-active societies, which heightens the likelihood of potential errors. Hence, launching campaigns like these is crucial to raising awareness about potential threats and equipping individuals with the necessary knowledge to address them effectively.”
In turn, Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, said, “The campaign underscores the Council's commitment to safeguarding children and families from content that contradicts the UAE's principles and values, through partnerships with relevant government entities and digital platforms. The UAE Media Council has developed legislation to regulate media content across all platforms, ensuring a safe and responsible digital environment for children nationwide.”
Al Shehhi emphasised the significance of this initiative in educating families about best practices to ensure their children’s digital safety. He highlighted the importance of providing them with the necessary tools and mechanisms to effectively address any challenges they may encounter.
Jinan Al-Hashli, Head of Public Policy at TikTok GCC, commended the campaign saying, “At TikTok, we are dedicated to fostering a safe environment for our digital communities. Our partnership with TDRA and the UAE Media Council to launch the "Interactive Family Safety Guide" aligns with this commitment.
"This initiative aims to empower digital communities with essential information and tools to safeguard their families across all digital platforms. We are enthusiastic about contributing to this strategic goal, reflecting the values and priorities of our families and community.”
The campaign, supported by the UAE Media Council and the TikTok platform, aimed to raise awareness on various internet-related topics, including its applications and uses, policies regulating social media content, platform-monitoring measures, and the significance of partnerships in ensuring digital safety.
The campaign emphasises the importance of privacy when using the Internet, highlighting the protection of personal data that should not be shared. It covers privacy controls like digital fingerprinting and educates on how to manage and utilise them effectively to prevent unauthorised access to personal information.
