{
  "id": 14664089,
  "title": "Family digital awareness key to children's digital safety: Qatar University Academics",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/family-digital-awareness-key-to-childrens-digital-safety-qatar",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T09:06:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf Times",
    "slug": "gulf-times",
    "url": "https://www.gulf-times.com/article/735843/qatar/family-digital-awareness-key-to-childrens-digital-safety-qatar-university-academics"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Qatar University academics have emphasized the crucial role of family digital awareness in safeguarding children as technology, digital platforms, and generative artificial intelligence continue to evolve. The rapid advancement of digital technology has introduced complex online risks that children face today, prompting national initiatives like the \"Digitally Aware Family\" campaign launched by the Ministry of Social Development and Family.\n\nThe campaign, spearheaded by Dr. Wadha Khalid Lebda, Director of the KINDI Computing Research Center at Qatar University’s College of Engineering, emphasizes the importance of fostering safe digital habits through open dialogue, parental role-modelling, and cultivating critical-thinking skills in children. Dr. Lebda highlighted that digital safety extends beyond technical safeguards and parental controls, encompassing awareness, guidance, and consideration of the psychological, health, and cultural impacts of technology use.\n\nThe campaign aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030's human and social development goals and complements the ministry's 2025-2030 strategy, \"From Care to Empowerment.\" Academics at Qatar University underscore that protecting children online necessitates a collaborative effort among families, educational institutions, and national bodies. They stress that digital safety involves more than just technological safeguards and parental controls; it also requires fostering digital awareness, promoting responsible online decision-making, and protecting personal data and digital identities.\n\nDr. Aisha Al Ahmadi, Assistant Professor in Qatar University's Department of Psychological Sciences, pointed out that cultural, educational, psychological, and religious differences must be considered when addressing digital behavior. She urged the use of local research to develop culturally relevant interventions for families and children in Qatar. Dr. Ghadir Fakhri Al Saleem, Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health, highlighted the family's role as the first environment where children develop their habits and behaviors, stressing the importance of promoting healthy digital habits from an early age, including adequate sleep, physical activity, and screen-free time for family interaction.\n\nThe campaign also addresses various digital risks, such as cyberbullying, online harassment, excessive screen time, privacy breaches, and fraud. Parents should be vigilant for signs of problematic digital habits and approach the issue with open communication and trust, rather than resorting to blame or punishment. The university's contribution to the campaign includes translating research in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence into practical guidance for families and young people through short videos, podcasts, and interactive workshops.",
  "summary": "Qatar University has underscored the importance of strengthening digital awareness among families and young people as rapid advances in technology, digital platforms and generative artificial intellig...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}