The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

With the rise of social media programmes featuring children for promotional purposes, some of which may include content that clashes with social or ethical values, Hanadi Al Yafei, Director-General of the Child Safety Department in Sharjah, urged parents to be cautious when choosing which programmes their children take part in. She stressed the need for families to ensure these programmes benefit both the child and society while being suitable for their age. Al Yafei reminded parents that their responsibility goes beyond their child, affecting the wider community and future generations.

Al Yafei made the statement after the UAE Media Council said that it had followed up on the bullying incident that a child was subjected to while filming a children's programme broadcast on one of the platforms in the UAE.

The council stressed that it would not allow the display of any content that violates the standards of media content.

Al Yafei said: "We must support and nurture children's talents, guiding them in the right direction. Parents play a key role in recognising their children's abilities and encouraging them to join programmes that match their skills and reflect positive social values, such as government initiatives designed for young talents across different areas."

She added: "While the Child Safety Department advises against creating social media accounts for children due to the risks involved, if they do have, it’s vital that parents actively monitor them to protect against any form of abuse. We also encourage families to spend more time supervising their children's online activities, as they may face dangers like cyberbullying, harmful behaviours that go against our values, and time-wasting, all of which can hinder their growth."

Al Yafei concluded by highlighting that the UAE is deeply committed to protecting children, with full cooperation between society and government on core child safety principles. She noted that the government, along with other organisations, regularly launches programmes to raise awareness about child protection and prevent any form of exploitation. She reaffirmed that the UAE will continue to be a safe and nurturing environment for children, who are the nation's future leaders.