Qatar University has emphasized the critical role of family involvement in enhancing digital awareness to protect children from the growing complexities of online risks driven by rapid technological advances, including generative artificial intelligence (AI). This call for coordinated efforts aligns with the Ministry of Social Development and Family’s newly launched “Digitally Aware Family” campaign, which operates under the slogan “Their Protection, Your Responsibility.” The initiative supports the ministry’s 2025-2030 "From Care to Empowerment" strategy and contributes to the broader goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030 for human and social development.
University experts note that safeguarding children online requires more than just technical safeguards or parental controls; it involves comprehensive awareness, guidance, and the cultivation of critical thinking skills. They stress the central role families play by fostering open dialogue, modeling responsible digital behavior, and supporting children in developing the ability to navigate online content prudently.
Dr. Wadih Khalid Lebda, Director of the KINDI Computing Research Center at Qatar University’s College of Engineering, highlighted the campaign’s timeliness, noting that children’s learning, communication, and interactions are increasingly shaped by digital technologies. She underlined how the emergence of AI has expanded digital safety concerns to include responsible decision-making online, protection of personal data and digital identities, and vigilance against threats such as misleading content, deepfakes, and cloned multimedia.
Dr. Lebda emphasized that sustainable protection results from collaborative engagement among families, schools, universities, government entities, and the technology industry, supported by continuous education tailored to different age groups. She suggested teaching children a four-step approach: “Stop, Ask, Verify, Then Decide” when encountering suspicious or urgent digital content, to foster safer habits amid evolving online challenges.
Qatar University’s KINDI Computing Research Center actively contributes to the campaign through educational tools such as videos, podcasts, and interactive workshops designed to translate cybersecurity and AI research into practical advice for families. Moreover, the university conducts evaluations to measure changes in knowledge and behavior following these initiatives to build a resilient digital culture based on evidence rather than fear.
Dr. Aisha al-Ahmadi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, underscored the need to consider educational, psychological, and cultural contexts when addressing digital behavior in Qatar. She cautioned against applying Western psychological models wholesale, advocating for locally grounded research to better reflect the social, cultural, and religious contexts of Arab and Muslim communities. This approach, she said, helps tailor educational and therapeutic interventions more effectively.
Dr. Ghadir Fakhri al-Saleem, Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health, pointed to the family’s foundational influence in shaping children’s habits, urging parents to promote a balanced relationship with technology and to develop children’s digital health literacy. She highlighted practices including maintaining adequate sleep, engaging in physical activity, and setting screen-free times that support physical and mental well-being alongside technology use.
Citing reports from UNICEF, Dr. al-Saleem identified key risks faced by children online, such as cyberbullying, online harassment, excessive screen time, privacy violations, and fraud. She advised parents to observe behavioral changes like increased secrecy or late-night screen use and address these concerns through trust-based communication rather than punishment, while making judicious use of parental controls.
The collective insights from Qatar University academics reinforce the importance of sustained collaboration among families, educational institutions, and government bodies to nurture a culture of digital responsibility. Such efforts aim to equip children and young people to engage safely and thoughtfully with the digital world and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.