Latest news with #DigitalWellbeingPact
TECHx
20 hours ago
- TECHx
Snapchat Updates Family Hub for Safer Teen Use
Home » Top stories » Snapchat Updates Family Hub for Safer Teen Use Snapchat has announced the relaunch of its Family Safety Hub. The updated platform aims to help families navigate the app with more confidence and clarity. The new version features improved guidance, simplified access to resources, and inclusive tools that support both parents and teens. Snapchat revealed that the update addresses the evolving digital safety needs of families. As part of the initiative, Snapchat hosted an educational session. The event was conducted in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority and life coach Hala Kazim. The session aimed to educate parents, creators, and media about Snapchat's family-focused safety features. The revamped Family Center section now includes clear instructions on using in-app tools. These features allow parents to see who their teen is in contact with, without reading message content. This approach helps balance digital safety and user privacy. Snapchat reported that the platform has shifted its language to be more inclusive. Previously called the 'Parents Site,' it is now named the 'Family Hub.' This change reflects a shared responsibility between parents and teens in maintaining safe digital habits. Fatima Al Melhi, Director of Special Projects at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, emphasized the importance of child protection. She stated, 'We are working together with Snapchat and other Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact members to ensure safe digital environments.' Jawaher Abdelhamid, Head of Public Policy, MEA at Snap Inc., added, 'User safety has always been a priority for Snapchat. The Family Safety Hub demonstrates our commitment to empowering families while respecting young users' privacy.' Snapchat also revealed the addition of new features to the Hub: A dedicated FAQ section A reorganized feature overview with tab-by-tab guidance Snapchat confirmed that downloadable tools and resources are now available online. These were previously accessible only at Snap-hosted events. Videos from Snap's YouTube channel have also been embedded and will be updated quarterly. The content on the Family Hub is presented in a clear and accessible format. The goal is to help families have informed conversations about digital wellbeing. Earlier this year, Snapchat was named a key member of The Pact. This is a UAE-based digital wellbeing committee led by the Digital Wellbeing Council and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority. The Pact brings together government entities, tech companies, and telecom providers to support a safer digital experience for youth in the UAE.
TECHx
13-02-2025
- Health
- TECHx
UAE Strengthens Child Online Protection with New Digital Wellbeing Pact News Desk - 13/02/2025 ShareIn a significant move aligned with the Year of Community, His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, alongside 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, witnessed the signing of the UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact at the World Government Summit in Dubai.With growing concerns over children's online safety, the new Pact aims to protect young users from cyberbullying, harmful content, and overexposure to screen time. Studies show that more than two hours of screen time per day can increase risks like high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes in children. Additionally, nearly 33% of children in the UAE reported being bullied online in 2019.His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized the shared responsibility of various sectors in protecting children in the digital world. He stated, 'As technology becomes integral to daily life, it is essential to establish clear frameworks to protect children from online risks while allowing them freedom to access information.'The UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact is the first of its kind in the region, developed by the Digital Wellbeing Council and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, with key strategic partners including the Ministry of Interior, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, and the AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications office. Major tech and social media platforms, such as Snapchat, Meta, Google, TikTok, and others, have also joined the Pact as members, committing to enhancing digital safety for children.H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, highlighted the importance of safeguarding children's online experiences. He stated, 'By providing a secure digital environment, we empower children to learn and innovate, free from the risks of misuse.'The Pact outlines mechanisms to protect children from both physical and psychological harm online, focusing on safe digital content and robust privacy protection. It aims to increase collaboration among partners to ensure the highest standards of child safety, promoting transparency through continuous reporting and global best practices.The initiative also includes supporting digital literacy programs to equip both children and their parents with safe browsing skills, enhancing research on emerging technological risks, and implementing tools to verify user age and strengthen privacy measures. With this groundbreaking Pact, the UAE is setting a global standard for protecting children's digital wellbeing.By advancing these goals, the UAE is not only safeguarding its future generations but also ensuring that technology contributes positively to society's overall development.
UAE Strengthens Child Online Protection with New Digital Wellbeing Pact In a significant move aligned with the Year of Community, His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, alongside 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, witnessed the signing of the UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact at the World Government Summit in Dubai. With growing concerns over children's online safety, the new Pact aims to protect young users from cyberbullying, harmful content, and overexposure to screen time. Studies show that more than two hours of screen time per day can increase risks like high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes in children. Additionally, nearly 33% of children in the UAE reported being bullied online in 2019. His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized the shared responsibility of various sectors in protecting children in the digital world. He stated, 'As technology becomes integral to daily life, it is essential to establish clear frameworks to protect children from online risks while allowing them freedom to access information.' The UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact is the first of its kind in the region, developed by the Digital Wellbeing Council and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, with key strategic partners including the Ministry of Interior, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, and the AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications office. Major tech and social media platforms, such as Snapchat, Meta, Google, TikTok, and others, have also joined the Pact as members, committing to enhancing digital safety for children. H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, highlighted the importance of safeguarding children's online experiences. He stated, 'By providing a secure digital environment, we empower children to learn and innovate, free from the risks of misuse.' The Pact outlines mechanisms to protect children from both physical and psychological harm online, focusing on safe digital content and robust privacy protection. It aims to increase collaboration among partners to ensure the highest standards of child safety, promoting transparency through continuous reporting and global best practices. The initiative also includes supporting digital literacy programs to equip both children and their parents with safe browsing skills, enhancing research on emerging technological risks, and implementing tools to verify user age and strengthen privacy measures. With this groundbreaking Pact, the UAE is setting a global standard for protecting children's digital wellbeing. By advancing these goals, the UAE is not only safeguarding its future generations but also ensuring that technology contributes positively to society's overall development.
