Fatma Al Nuaimi
By Fatma Al Nuaimi
From a very early age, parents teach their children to respect their elders, have proper manners and to play nicely with others. Yet far too often these important life lessons are not applied in today’s digital age. With more and more children and teenagers across Qatar connecting to the Internet whether on their laptops, smartphones or tablets, it has become increasingly important for parents and teachers to ensure that they are practising the same level of respect online as they do in person.
Today marks the 10th anniversary of Safer Internet Day, and appropriately the theme is “Connect with Respect.” In my work as the Manager of Cyber Safety at the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR), keeping our citizens safe online has become my passion, and the notion of respectful online practice is at the very core of cyber safety. One of the most important things we can teach our children is that actions online have real world implications. The fact is that words hurt just as much when posted to someone’s Facebook wall or sent via text message. In fact, they can hurt more because the record of them lives on and others can often magnify petty comments even further.
Unfortunately, digital harassment of this kind may go unnoticed by parents and unreported by youth. Unlike bullying or abuse in the schoolyard, digital abuse or cyber bullying is far too often a hidden offence.
By talking to our children about respecting others online, we can help build a positive digital environment that embraces learning and discovery, while minimising negativity and inappropriate content.
Parents and other family members should sit down with children and clearly discuss what behaviour is appropriate online. They should stress the importance of thinking critically about the information they encounter and how to maintain their privacy. Fostering open channels of communications with children about the digital world will help them feel more comfortable talking to adults if they encounter offensive content or if someone is harassing. ictQATAR has created a website, Safe Space, to help parents and teachers talk to children about online safety. Safe Space, www.safespace.qa, shares information and resources for parents, teachers, teens and children on how they can fully benefit from the Internet while engaging in safe habits. The website is updated regularly, and presents valuable information in a clear, accessible manner.
I encourage everyone to check it often, and share it with friends and family. At ictQATAR, we have also been working with schools across the country to help make cyber safety an ingrained part of our national curriculum. Through a variety of workshop and outreach initiatives, the lessons shared on Safe Space are being brought directly to students, parents and teachers. Qatar is a society that has always taken collective responsibility for the well-being and safety of our children. Teaching them to be smart and respectful online citizens is just an extension of the values that we already strive to instil in them. I hope everyone will join in marking Safer Internet Day to help ensure children throughout the country are connecting smartly, safely and respectfully.
The author is Cyber Safety section manager, ictQATAR
The Peninsula
By Fatma Al Nuaimi
From a very early age, parents teach their children to respect their elders, have proper manners and to play nicely with others. Yet far too often these important life lessons are not applied in today’s digital age. With more and more children and teenagers across Qatar connecting to the Internet whether on their laptops, smartphones or tablets, it has become increasingly important for parents and teachers to ensure that they are practising the same level of respect online as they do in person.
Today marks the 10th anniversary of Safer Internet Day, and appropriately the theme is “Connect with Respect.” In my work as the Manager of Cyber Safety at the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR), keeping our citizens safe online has become my passion, and the notion of respectful online practice is at the very core of cyber safety. One of the most important things we can teach our children is that actions online have real world implications. The fact is that words hurt just as much when posted to someone’s Facebook wall or sent via text message. In fact, they can hurt more because the record of them lives on and others can often magnify petty comments even further.
Unfortunately, digital harassment of this kind may go unnoticed by parents and unreported by youth. Unlike bullying or abuse in the schoolyard, digital abuse or cyber bullying is far too often a hidden offence.
By talking to our children about respecting others online, we can help build a positive digital environment that embraces learning and discovery, while minimising negativity and inappropriate content.
Parents and other family members should sit down with children and clearly discuss what behaviour is appropriate online. They should stress the importance of thinking critically about the information they encounter and how to maintain their privacy. Fostering open channels of communications with children about the digital world will help them feel more comfortable talking to adults if they encounter offensive content or if someone is harassing. ictQATAR has created a website, Safe Space, to help parents and teachers talk to children about online safety. Safe Space, www.safespace.qa, shares information and resources for parents, teachers, teens and children on how they can fully benefit from the Internet while engaging in safe habits. The website is updated regularly, and presents valuable information in a clear, accessible manner.
I encourage everyone to check it often, and share it with friends and family. At ictQATAR, we have also been working with schools across the country to help make cyber safety an ingrained part of our national curriculum. Through a variety of workshop and outreach initiatives, the lessons shared on Safe Space are being brought directly to students, parents and teachers. Qatar is a society that has always taken collective responsibility for the well-being and safety of our children. Teaching them to be smart and respectful online citizens is just an extension of the values that we already strive to instil in them. I hope everyone will join in marking Safer Internet Day to help ensure children throughout the country are connecting smartly, safely and respectfully.
The author is Cyber Safety section manager, ictQATAR
The Peninsula
