Dalal Ahmed, principal of Tariq Bin Ziyad Primary School under Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education, has launched an initiative aimed at fostering healthier digital habits among young children. The program, named “Kullukum Ra’in” (Each of You Is a Guardian), addresses growing concerns about excessive screen time and its impact on primary school students’ wellbeing.

With three decades of experience in education, Ahmed identified troubling trends among students aged 5 to 11, including difficulty maintaining attention, increased irritability, and general boredom. These patterns prompted a closer examination of students’ after-school routines, revealing a significant reliance on digital devices. Discussions with parents highlighted a common scenario: busy family schedules often resulted in children spending extensive periods unsupervised with screens, sometimes for six to seven hours daily, frequently engaging with unfamiliar online users.

The initiative’s name draws inspiration from a Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing shared guardianship and responsibility. Ahmed emphasized that the program is not intended as a one-off effort but as an ongoing collaboration among students, educators, and parents to promote positive digital use.

Research underscores the influential role families play in shaping children’s online behavior, not only through supervision but by fostering trust and open communication. This school year, Tariq Bin Ziyad Primary School is partnering with Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency to deliver educational sessions for students and a broader outreach campaign for parents.

Ahmed’s approach is informed by UNESCO’s age-based recommendations distinguishing between passive and active technology use. While educational tasks on devices are recognized as valuable, the principal advocates for limited screen time, recommending no more than one hour daily, segmented to avoid prolonged continuous exposure.

Initial reactions from parents ranged from surprise to concern, especially when children disclosed their ability to bypass regional content restrictions using VPNs. In response, the school now provides monthly guidance, organizes parent workshops, and incorporates activities designed to reinforce consistent messaging across home and school environments.

Rather than emphasizing restrictions, Ahmed stresses the importance of families dedicating quality time together to address children’s needs. She noted that simple acts, such as shared conversations or reading before bed, can restore cultural traditions of familial storytelling and connection, which have diminished in recent years.

For families seeking to initiate change, Ahmed recommends starting modestly by setting aside even 30 minutes daily for focused interaction, with mobile devices set aside. She advocates for fostering trust around online safety by initiating non-authoritative conversations, encouraging parents to engage with children by asking them to share their digital experiences.

Central to the initiative’s success is the role of adults as models of healthy digital behavior. Ahmed pointed out that inconsistent actions—such as parents asking children to reduce phone use while frequently using their own devices—undermine educational efforts. She calls on caregivers to embody the habits they wish to instill.

As the school term progresses, Ahmed urges families to reassess routines gently, promoting better sleep and physical activity as natural means to curb screen dependency. The initiative reflects a broader strategy to cultivate digitally mindful households through ongoing connection and incremental, shared efforts.