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The Arab Parliament for Children is finalizing preparations for its third session of the fourth term, hosted by Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. The upcoming session will bring together children from 16 Arab countries to discuss cyber security and child-friendly digital content, highlighting the unity of Arab childhood in addressing contemporary issues affecting their lives and futures.
The session, titled “Cyber Security: Towards Child-Friendly Content for Arab Children,” comes at a critical time amid accelerating digital transformations. According to organizers, the gathering aims to raise awareness among children, enhance their digital literacy, and build a safe digital environment that protects their rights while supporting creativity and positive participation.
Arab Parliament for Children Addresses Digital Safety
Leaders and members of the Arab Parliament for Children have expressed pride in participating in this session, which serves as a unified Arab platform for children’s voices. The initiative reflects the significant responsibility and awareness demonstrated by young parliament members in shaping policies that protect Arab children in the digital age.
Elias bin Awad Al-Ma’ani, president of the Arab Parliament for Children, stated that participation stems from a clear vision and shared Arab responsibility. He emphasized that comprehensive preparations aim to transform children’s voices into impactful decisions and recommendations that enhance digital security and create content that protects Arab children while meeting their aspirations.
Focus on Digital Empowerment and Safety
The session concentrates on empowering children with knowledge and improving their digital readiness, according to Al-Ma’ani. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of effective partnerships between families and institutions to build a safe and creative electronic space for children across the Arab world.
Mai Jalal, second deputy president of the Arab Parliament for Children, confirmed that the General Secretariat completed extensive preparations for the Sharjah visit. She emphasized that cyber security is not a luxury or isolated technical issue, but rather an ethical necessity closely linked to childhood protection.
Jalal pointed out that children cannot be isolated from technology, as it represents the tool of the future and they are its creators. She noted that preparations involved deep research into the concept of cyber security and its relationship with children in the digital world, particularly its psychological impacts.
Building on Previous Parliamentary Sessions
The parliament reviewed previous sessions related to digital space and child safety, confirming the organization’s ongoing commitment to this vital issue. Meanwhile, Jalal expressed hope for productive discussions and practical recommendations that truly serve Arab children’s needs in the digital era.
Maryam Al-Namlan, a member of the Arab Parliament for Children, expressed enthusiasm for active participation in the session’s work. She explained that preparing for the Sharjah gathering involves exchanging experiences and highlighting the importance of cyber security and safe content for children across Arab nations.
However, Al-Namlan stressed that the participation aims to spread awareness about safe technology usage methods. In contrast to restrictive approaches, the parliament emphasizes education over prohibition and behavior correction rather than exclusion from digital spaces.
Collaborative Approach to Child Protection Online
The session framework promotes collaboration to develop practical ideas serving both children and families. Furthermore, participants recognize that protecting children online requires coordinated efforts between educational institutions, families, and policymakers to create comprehensive safeguards.
Sharjah’s role as host underscores the emirate’s position as an incubator for joint Arab work in childhood development. The city’s designation as the capital of Arab culture provides an appropriate setting for discussions on protecting children’s digital rights and fostering their creative potential in online environments.
The parliament’s approach emphasizes that digital literacy and cyber security awareness must become integral components of childhood education across the Arab world. This perspective acknowledges that today’s children are digital natives who require guidance rather than restriction in navigating online spaces safely and productively.
The third session is expected to produce actionable recommendations that member countries can implement to enhance children’s online safety. While specific dates for the session have not been confirmed, organizers indicate that all preparations are complete for the gathering in Sharjah.
