The National Anti-Narcotics Agency recommends protecting children and the elderly from electronic risks

Participants in the Ramadan Council recommended the need to intensify financial and cyber awareness messages, follow up on children digitally, monitor electronic games, and the need to pay attention to the elderly in using phones and social media, and provide them with the necessary support to protect them from electronic risks..

The National Narcotics Control Agency held the third Ramadan Council in Abu Dhabi, entitled “The Family and Anticipating a Safe Future for Children,” as part of a series of councils held during the holy month under the slogan “A Conscious Family… A Safe Homeland,” under the patronage of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Agency, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the role of the family as a major partner in prevention and building sustainable community awareness..

The council hosted Abdullah bin Dafna, and was moderated by journalist Raed Muhammad Al-Shayeb, in the presence of officials, prominent community figures, and media figures..

The council was attended by the Inspector General of the Ministry of Interior, Major General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi, the Chairman of the Cybersecurity Council, Dr. Muhammad Al-Kuwaiti, and the Director of the National Policies and Risks Department in the General Secretariat of the National Committee to Combat Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Arms Proliferation, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Alkim.

The Council discussed four main topics: developing ambition and creating a future vision, personal responsibility and decision-making, life skills and preparing for future challenges, legal responsibility and early prevention..

He focused on the importance of strengthening dialogue between family members and restoring the culture of joint dialogue, especially in light of the transformations imposed by modern technology. The role of the family in finding a healthy balance between the positive use of digital technologies and maintaining realistic communication that consolidates family relationships was highlighted. The interventions also emphasized that education based on role models, constructive dialogue, and respect for the elderly represents a safety valve for the continued cohesion of societies..

The participants stressed the need to provide children with conscious thinking skills, digital awareness, and the ability to face challenges with confidence, in addition to consolidating values, customs and traditions as they are the first line of defense in protecting the family and society..

They also stressed that drug control is closely linked to cybersecurity, noting that threats today have become digital and cross borders. They reviewed three main cyber threats: cybercrime, cyberterrorism, and cyberwars. They called for confronting these challenges with awareness and commitment to values, opening channels of friendship and dialogue with children, setting clear controls within the home, and teaching them the safe use of data..

The speakers reviewed the most prominent methods of electronic fraud, explaining that many crimes begin with a phone call, text message, or a suspicious link requesting to enter bank information..

They also addressed the aspect of legal responsibility and early prevention, stressing the importance of the family’s knowledge of Article (89) of the Anti-Narcotics Law, which provides the opportunity to take the initiative to seek treatment before legal accountability, which reinforces the concept of prevention before punishment. The “Muqatid” service was reviewed as a support and consultation channel that provides awareness, advice, and reporting in complete confidentiality via the toll-free number (80044), which contributes to rapid response and encouraging early intervention..

At the conclusion of the council, the participants recommended the need to intensify financial and cyber awareness messages, follow up on children digitally, monitor electronic games, and the need to pay attention to the elderly in using phones and social media, and provide them with the necessary support to protect them from electronic risks..

They also stressed the importance of strengthening the friendship relationship between parents and children, knowing their friends and breaking the barrier of fear between them, in addition to setting clear household rules that regulate study, use of the phone, and daily habits, which contributes to building a disciplined family culture that children learn from a young age..

The attendees pointed out the need to educate children not to transfer money to any unknown party, not to share personal data, and to follow up on their purchases and financial transfers, with a proposal to issue dedicated cards for them that contribute to enhancing positive control over their expenses. The Council also recommended activating the role of banks in sending financial and cyber preventive educational messages on a regular basis, intensifying media and community awareness, and including security and safety concepts within educational materials..