About one in three children in the UAE have been contacted by strangers online, data from the UAE government's cyber security council reveals, with 19 per cent – or one in five – facing digital threats.
The data also shows that 97 per cent of children as young as seven regularly use gadgets, with 64 per cent using their devices to watch videos and 52 per cent using them to play games.
In 2024, there were about 1.89 million children aged 14 and under in the UAE, comprising 15.12 per cent of the population, according to statistics by Global Media Insight.
Those aged 15 to 24 accounted for 9.14 per cent, or roughly 1.14 million people.
What are the risks?
Various forms of attacks, including cyber bullying, cyber grooming and extortion, can be carried out when hackers obtain control of devices used by children.
Last year, the Dubai Criminal Court sentenced a man, 29, to three years in prison for using social media platforms such as Snapchat and WhatsApp to exploit children and trick them into sharing inappropriate photos, which he saved on his phone.
The case came to light when a mother found disturbing messages on her teen son’s phone and reported it to Dubai Police’s cyber crime department.
Investigations uncovered more evidence of the man’s actions including numerous explicit images and videos of minors on mobile phones.
How to protect children
Parents are advised to follow three key steps to protect their children online. These include enhancing privacy settings to block unknown contacts, managing screen time to restrict harmful content and reviewing children’s online activities while teaching them to recognise and avoid suspicious links and strangers.
For children like Ali Oboudi, 13, an eighth-year pupil at the International School of Choueifat in Sharjah, encounters with strangers online are all too common.
“I often receive WhatsApp messages from strangers,” Ali said. “Some offer fake Amazon discounts, and some even advertise fake jobs. I report and block them immediately.”
Ali credits his awareness to a video by Mark Rober, a science content creator.
“I watch Mark Rober’s videos because I love science and, through his content, I came across one that talks about online scams and dangers. It was very helpful,” he said.
Ali believes more effort is needed to educate children. “Some of my friends are aware of these dangers, but others just don’t know or don’t care,” he said.
His schoolmate, Feryal Elbanna, also 13, shared similar experiences. “I’ve received messages promoting drugs and strangers trying to befriend me on WhatsApp. But I always report and block them,” Feryal said. She said her family and her school often speak about online risks.
“My mother often talks to me and my siblings about dangers we may face online. She teaches us how to recognise these threats and what to do if we encounter them. At school, we’ve had lectures where police officers spoke to us about identifying online risks and the importance of informing our parents and verifying links together.”
Share of internet users taking action on data privacy worldwide
What is the UAE doing?
The UAE government regularly launches awareness drives to enhance online safety. In 2020, the country launched the eSafe school to build a smart security structure in schools.
This came a year after the Ministry of Interior launched the Child Digital Safety initiative to educate children about online threats.
Police departments across the country carry out in-person and online campaigns regularly. Their efforts include officers visiting schools and talking to pupils about online dangers.
Schools also contribute by providing continuous resources, lectures and activities that teach children how to stay safe online.
“We recognise the growing challenges children face in navigating the online world and are committed to equipping them with the knowledge and skills to stay safe,” said Carrie Hoza, vice principal and child protection officer at Uptown International School in Dubai. “We teach all our pupils about the importance of cybersecurity and the potential dangers of online interactions.”
The school’s curriculum highlights both the risks of engaging with strangers online and the positive opportunities the digital world offers when used responsibly. The school also hosts workshops and shares advice through newsletters, providing families with the tools they need to create a secure online environment at home.
In January, the school will launch a new initiative to train older students as Online Safety Ambassadors. “This peer-led programme aims to foster a culture of digital responsibility, with students supporting each other in recognising and addressing online threats,” said Ms Hoza.
How are parents coping?
Norah Saleem makes it a priority to talk to her daughter about online safety, describing constant communication as "essential" to good parenting.
“I sit with my daughter regularly to discuss the risks of the internet,” she said. “We’ve had instances where strangers messaged her on Snapchat. My daughter informed me immediately, and we reported and blocked the accounts together. I’ve also taught her to never click on unknown links or share personal information online.”
Ms Saleem noted how technology has changed and can be intimidating, but said that this is no reason to disconnect from children.
“It’s incredible how much more tech-savvy our children are compared to us,” she said. “Instead of feeling left behind, we can use this to engage with them and ask them to teach us.”
She believes this not only boosts their self-esteem but also strengthens trust and keeps the lines of communication open.
“It’s important to have these conversations and stay involved in their digital lives.”
