Khalifa Empowerment Programme to launch Safer Internet Day

The UAE celebrations of "Safer Internet Day", held under the title, "Let's Create a Better Internet Together," will commence on Tuesday under the patronage of H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.
Major-General Dr. Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of the Office of H.H. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Khalifa Student Empowerment Programme, revealed the participation of more than 35 ministries and federal, local and private entities in the activities. The activities will be supervised by the Khalifa Student Empowerment Programme, "Aqdar", from 10th-14th February.
In a press conference held yesterday at the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters, Major-General Al Nuaimi said that launching activities like this represents a step towards promoting the concepts of mutual institutional work between all ministries, local and federal entities, private institutions and civil society organisations. He said that this aims to find mechanisms to develop communications links and sustainable cooperation in line with the strategy of Khalifa Student Empowerment Programme that seeks to unify efforts targeting students.
He stressed the importance of limiting the times when children are allowed to use the internet and modern communications means in order to prevent them from becoming internet addicted. He said that parents must build a positive relationship with their children and must communicate properly with them in case they are exploited, blackmailed or threatened by someone.
The Director-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Programme for Intelligent Education, Mohammed Ghiath, spoke during the press conference on how to create a culture of internet and technologies' safe use for now and in the future. He noted the importance of establishing a high level joint working group to unify efforts, coordinate, exchange information in order to set a comprehensive plan and methodology to raise awareness among children, and support acquiring updated information that explains the nature and amount of improper use of the internet and technology in the UAE.
He added, "Information will enable the concerned authorities to conduct studies and research in this field, and encourage research bodies to focus on this field too."