Latest news with #Children'sDigitalWellbeingPact
Mid East Info
3 hours ago
- Mid East Info
Snapchat Relaunches Family Hub to Support Safer Digital Experiences for Teens and Parents - Middle East Business News and Information
Revamped digital safety platform offers new tools, content, and resources Dubai, UAE,June 2025: Snapchat has relaunched its Family Safety Hub, a refreshed and more inclusive platform designed to help families navigate the app confidently and safely. The updated Hub offers clearer guidance, accessible resources, and new tools that reflect the evolving needs of both parents and teens. In an effort to educate parents, creators and press, Snapchat hosted an educational session in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority and life educational coach, Hala Kazim. The revamped Family Center section includes updated guidance on how to use in-app features that enable parents to see who their teen is communicating with – without viewing the content of conversations – helping to strike a balance between safety and autonomy. To better represent the shared role of both parents and teens in building safer digital habits, the platform now uses more inclusive language, shifting from its previous name of 'Parents Site' to 'Family Hub'. Fatima Al Melhi, Director of Special Projects at Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority said, 'Protecting children and boosting their digital quality of life is a priority to us. And we know that protecting them, takes all of us. We are working together with Snapchat and the rest of the Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact members to ensure that we provide a space that balances freedom of access to information with ensuring the safety of children from electronic risks. With the revamped Family Safety Hub, Snap is proactively equipping parents, guardians, and teens with the essential tools needed to support their safety and digital well-being.' Jawaher Abdelhamid, Head of Public Policy, MEA at Snap Inc. said, 'From the start, Snapchat was designed as a safe and private platform, making user safety a fundamental priority. Our mission is to create a safer, more supportive experience for teens on Snapchat. The Family Safety Hub reflects our commitment to empowering families across the region with the tools they require to make what they believe are the right choices for their teens based on their age and family values, all while still respecting young Snapchatters' privacy.' New additions to the Hub include a dedicated FAQ section and a reorganized overview of Snapchat's features, providing a tab-by-tab explanation of the platform and offering practical tips for families. The site now hosts downloadable tools and resources that were previously only available at in-person Snap events. These will be continuously updated as Snapchat's product features and safety offerings evolve. In addition, relevant videos from Snap's YouTube channel have been integrated across the platform and will be refreshed quarterly, ensuring the content remains engaging and up to date. The Family Safety Hub presents content in clear, digestible formats to enhance understanding and make it easier for families to have meaningful conversations about digital wellbeing. Earlier this year, Snapchat was also named as a leading member of The Pact, the UAE's new Digital Wellbeing committee led by the Digital Wellbeing Council and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority. The Pact brings together government bodies, tech platforms, and telecom providers to support a safer, more age-appropriate digital experience for young people across the UAE.
Web Release
13 hours ago
- Web Release
Snapchat Relaunches Family Hub to Support Safer Digital Experiences for Teens and Parents
Snapchat has relaunched its Family Safety Hub, a refreshed and more inclusive platform designed to help families navigate the app confidently and safely. The updated Hub offers clearer guidance, accessible resources, and new tools that reflect the evolving needs of both parents and teens. In an effort to educate parents, creators and press, Snapchat hosted an educational session in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority and life educational coach, Hala Kazim. The revamped Family Center section includes updated guidance on how to use in-app features that enable parents to see who their teen is communicating with – without viewing the content of conversations – helping to strike a balance between safety and autonomy. To better represent the shared role of both parents and teens in building safer digital habits, the platform now uses more inclusive language, shifting from its previous name of 'Parents Site' to 'Family Hub'. Fatima Al Melhi, Director of Special Projects at Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority said, 'Protecting children and boosting their digital quality of life is a priority to us. And we know that protecting them, takes all of us. We are working together with Snapchat and the rest of the Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact members to ensure that we provide a space that balances freedom of access to information with ensuring the safety of children from electronic risks. With the revamped Family Safety Hub, Snap is proactively equipping parents, guardians, and teens with the essential tools needed to support their safety and digital well-being.' Jawaher Abdelhamid, Head of Public Policy, MEA at Snap Inc. said, 'From the start, Snapchat was designed as a safe and private platform, making user safety a fundamental priority. Our mission is to create a safer, more supportive experience for teens on Snapchat. The Family Safety Hub reflects our commitment to empowering families across the region with the tools they require to make what they believe are the right choices for their teens based on their age and family values, all while still respecting young Snapchatters' privacy.' New additions to the Hub include a dedicated FAQ section and a reorganized overview of Snapchat's features, providing a tab-by-tab explanation of the platform and offering practical tips for families. The site now hosts downloadable tools and resources that were previously only available at in-person Snap events. These will be continuously updated as Snapchat's product features and safety offerings evolve. In addition, relevant videos from Snap's YouTube channel have been integrated across the platform and will be refreshed quarterly, ensuring the content remains engaging and up to date. The Family Safety Hub presents content in clear, digestible formats to enhance understanding and make it easier for families to have meaningful conversations about digital wellbeing. Earlier this year, Snapchat was also named as a leading member of The Pact, the UAE's new Digital Wellbeing committee led by the Digital Wellbeing Council and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority. The Pact brings together government bodies, tech platforms, and telecom providers to support a safer, more age-appropriate digital experience for young people across the UAE. To explore the Family Safety Hub, visit
Al Etihad
16-04-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
ECA highlights children's responsible technology use during Digital Wellbeing Symposium
16 Apr 2025 17:25 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Organised by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) and hosted by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU Abu Dhabi), leading experts from the technology sector, including representatives from the organisations that are members of the UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact, gathered in Abu Dhabi to highlight the importance of responsible technology use in early childhood – as part of the Digital Wellbeing Symposium. The event took place as a satellite event of the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, organised by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH).The Digital Wellbeing Symposium highlighted the needs and experiences of young children from ages zero to eight in conversations about how digital technologies affect the health, development, and everyday life of young children. Experts furhter discussed key issues around young children's digital Wellbeing and provided insights for the development of guidelines and frameworks around digital media, AI and technology, and the creation of high-quality digital content that prioritises young children's learning and Symposium featured sessions from prominent voices in digital Wellbeing, including Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Knowledge and Impact at the ECA, Jawaher Abdelhamid, Head of Public Policy, MEA at SNAP, leading member of the UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact; Professor Susan Danby, Distinguished Professor at Queensland University of Technology; Dr Michael Preston, Senior Vice President at the Sesame Workshop and Professor Jan Plass, Paulette Goddard Chair in Digital Media and Learning Sciences at New York UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact was signed earlier this year at the World Government Summit. It is the first of its kind in the region and brings together different governmental and private sector entities, including the ECA, in support of protecting children online by promoting a safe and appropriate online environment, minimising exposure of children to harmful content and protecting children from on the importance of responsible use of technology in early childhood, Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi said: "At the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, we want to help parents feel more comfortable with their children engaging with digital media. We know that technology plays a big role in young children's lives and in their development. As such, we are proud to see parents in Abu Dhabi embracing technology as a valuable tool to support their child's growth and their efforts to create healthy boundaries around technology use at homes." He addedm "As technology keeps evolving, we hope to keep working with parents to put children's digital wellbeing first, ensuring their everyday life continues to have a well-balanced approach between digital activities and traditional ones."Jawaher Abdelhamid, Head of Public Policy, MEA at SNAP, a leading member of the Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact, said: "Our goal is to ensure that digital media serves as a positive force in children's lives, supporting their learning and development while safeguarding their Wellbeing."The Symposium unveiled the findings of the Digital Use Survey, a first-of-its-kind survey of 10,000 parents in Abu Dhabi emirate, conducted by NYU Abu Dhabi and funded by the ECA, exploring digital media use among Emirati and Expat children up to eight years old, with key findings including; parents are intentional about digital content choices, and that parents generally see digital media as a positive part of modern childhood, with 70 per cent satisfied with the amount of time their young child spends on digital media, parents were found to spend twice as much time engaging with their child in traditional (non-digital) activities as they did in digital ones, parents emphasised the role of digital media in supporting their child's learning, social development, and exploration, with half of the parents (55 per cent) viewing digital media as a valuable tool for supporting their child's learning, and early learning activities and Arabic language videos ranking the highest by parents in their digital content survey represents the first comprehensive analysis of digital media use among children aged 0 to 8. It focuses specifically on the often-overlooked needs of children aged 0 to 8 in digital wellbeing discussions, ensuring their experiences help shape research and on the survey, Antje von Suchodeltz, Associate Professor of Psychology and Global Network Associate Professor of Psychology at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, NYU Abu Dhabi said: "This survey provides valuable insights into how parents are navigating their young children's digital media experiences. Research shows that when parents actively co-engage with their children during digital media use, through co-watching, co-playing, or other interactive experiences, these shared moments strengthen the parent-child relationship and contribute to the child's development across multiple domains. These findings provide a strong foundation for evidence-based policies that promote digital Wellbeing in early childhood.'The Digital Wellbeing Symposium further enhanced the work done by the ECA and its partners, which led to the signing of the recent Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact. Additionally, the symposium highlights the importance of investing in research ecosystems to improve children's Wellbeing. The Digital Wellbeing Symposium is also part of the ECA's World Early Childhood Development (WED) Movement, an initiative which brings together global experts, partners, and disruptors for innovation to advance Early Childhood Development in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
TECHx
18-02-2025
- Business
- TECHx
Snapchat at Forefront of UAE's Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact - TECHx Media Snapchat at Forefront of UAE's Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact
Snapchat at Forefront of UAE's Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact Snapchat has been announced as the leading member of the UAE's Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at creating a safer online environment for children across the UAE. The Pact, the first of its kind in the region, was unveiled at the 2025 World Government Summit in Dubai. The initiative is facilitated by the Digital Wellbeing Council and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, with Snapchat at the helm, alongside key partners like Google, Samsung, Yango, Meta, TikTok, X, e&, and du. As the most popular platform for staying connected across the GCC, Snapchat is committed to ensuring its younger users enjoy a secure online experience. In its first year of leading the Pact, Snapchat will collaborate with its partners to promote a safe, age-appropriate digital space that reduces exposure to harmful content and prevents cyberbullying. Hussein Freijeh, Vice President, MENA at Snap Inc., shared, 'Snapchat was designed with user safety as a priority. The UAE's first Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact is a huge milestone, and we're proud to take part in making this a reality for young users.' Jawaher Abdelhamid, Head of Public Policy, MEA at Snap Inc., added, 'We're excited to lead the Pact's initiatives and to share our expertise. Snapchat is a primary communication tool in the UAE, and as our community grows, so does our commitment to keeping them safe.' H.E. Sana bint Mohamed Suhail, UAE Minister of Family and Director General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), emphasized the importance of collaboration across sectors to ensure the safety of young users. 'Protecting children online requires teamwork, and the Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact is a key step toward setting higher standards for digital safety in the UAE,' she said. The Pact also includes initiatives to enhance digital literacy for children and their families, equipping them with the necessary skills for safe online browsing. Snapchat is dedicated to helping parents navigate their children's technology use. In 2022, Snap launched the Family Center, a tool that lets parents monitor who their teens are interacting with on Snapchat, while respecting their privacy and autonomy. The signing of the UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact during the World Government Summit was witnessed by His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; and H.E. Sana bint Mohamed Suhail, Minister of Family Affairs and Director General of the ECA. The Pact is set to make significant strides toward creating a safer, more responsible digital landscape for children in the UAE.
Web Release
14-02-2025
- Health
- Web Release
Government and Private Organizations Come Together to Enhance Children's Digital Wellbeing
In line with the Year of Community, His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior and Chairman of the Digital Wellbeing Council; H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, along with H.E. Sana bint Mohamed Suhail, Minister of Family Affairs and ECA's Director General, witnessed the signing of the UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact during the World Government Summit in Dubai. Today, there are serious risks to children's online safety and wellbeing. More than two hours of screen time per day increases likelihood of higher blood pressure and Type 2 Diabetes in children. Moreover, ~33% of children in the UAE reported being bullied online (2019). Within this context, t he Pact is designed to protect children online and it will do this by promoting a safe and appropriate online environment, minimizing exposure of children to harmful content and protecting children from cyberbullying. H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: 'Protecting children in the digital world is a shared responsibility that requires efforts between various sectors to ensure that we provide a space that balances freedom of access to information with ensuring the safety of children from electronic risks. More and more people are relying on technology in daily life so it has become necessary to establish clear frameworks and effective implementation mechanisms to protect children from harmful content and increasing digital challenges.' His Highness added that signing the Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact is in line with national efforts to promote a safe and balanced environment for children in the digital world, in line with the directives of the country's leadership. The efforts are aimed at building a sustainable digital society that takes into account the needs of future generations. The Pact, the first of its kind in the region, was facilitated by the Digital Wellbeing Council and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, while the Office of International Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications office came onboard as strategic partners for the Pact. Moreover, numerous technology and content platforms, social media channels, internet and telecommunications service providers also came together and became members of the Pact. They are Snapchat (leading member of the pact for its first year), Meta, Google, TikTok, X, Yango, Samsung, e& and du. H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, said: 'Protecting children and boosting their digital quality of life is a priority to us. Ensuring children's safety and well-being online directly contributes to building a secure and prosperous society that leverages technology positively. By providing a safe and stimulating digital environment that gives children access to information and educational resources securely, we empower them with greater opportunities to learn and innovate, away from risks associated with the misuse of technology.' Jawaher Abdelhamid, Regional Head of Public Policy for the Middle East and Africa at Snap Inc., said: 'At Snap, we share a deep responsibility to continually strive toward creating a safe experience for our users – particularly the youngest ones. As a reflection of this commitment, we feel proud to undertake a leading role in the development and execution of the UAE's first Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact and look forward to engaging meaningfully with governments, partners and parents on prioritizing the safety and privacy of young Snapchatters in the UAE.' By developing clear mechanisms to protect children from physical and psychological harm, as well as enhancing supervision of digital content targeting them, the Pact will enhance collaboration among various partners to ensure the highest standards of digital safety for children. The Pact also protects children's data, ensuring their privacy and safety within the digital ecosystem. This includes promoting transparency through continuous reporting and evaluation mechanisms according to global leading practices. It also focuses on developing effective strategies to reduce the promotion of harmful content, taking into account different age groups. Moreover, the Pact will support digital literacy programs and educational initiatives that equip children and their parents with the needed skills to browse safely online. The Pact will also facilitate the exchange of expertise and investment in research, to address the emerging risks posed by technological advancements. Finally, the Pact supports exchanging information on advanced technological methods that contribute to providing a safer online environment for children. This includes developing and using effective tools to verify the user's age before displaying content, establishing leading practices and strategies to enhance user privacy protection, with a particular focus on children's data, and ensuring full compliance with relevant data protection regulations. It also includes identifying incident response mechanisms and reporting protocols to address emerging cyber threats and immediately manage incidents affecting children. In addition, the Pact will help strengthen efforts to develop policies that enhance children's digital quality of life.
