Nowadays, children are spending most of their time at home while playing online or video games because it is the time of summer vacation in the UAE. Indeed, video games come with entertainment for your younger ones. However, it also poses an increased cybersecurity risk. Therefore, the Dubai Police has issued a clear warning for parents to stay alert and supervise their children’s online gaming activities to protect them from any potential cyber threats.
Why Video Games Can Be Risky for Children?
It is important to learn that online games are more than play. Now, these games have become social platforms that allow you to enjoy real-time chats, voice messaging, and even send friend requests. Indeed, these features can make these games enjoyable. However, it can open doors to the following risks:
- Cyberbullying
- Digital addiction
- Communication with strangers
- Online scams and fraud
- Extortion and exploitation
Officials have highlighted that unsupervised gaming can expose children to serious cybercrimes, like violation of privacy and public dependency.
Dubai police said, “The supervision is important for protecting your children from cybersecurity risks and addressing unhealthy behavior like bullying and digital addiction.”
What Parents Can Do: Dubai Police’s Key Recommendations
Dubai Police has advised parents to take the necessary steps to keep their children safe during the summer break. Therefore, you could follow the following steps in this case:
- You can use built-in controls on gaming consoles, mobile devices, and apps to restrict game content and communication features.
- You must ensure that the games your children are playing are age-appropriate and free from violence or harmful content.
- You must maintain the screen time with other fun and educational tasks, like outdoor games, reading, and hobbies.
- It would be appropriate to teach your children to never share their personal details, like phone numbers, home addresses, and photos, while playing interactive games.
- It would be great to keep an eye on your child’s behavior. Moreover, you should look for signs of addiction, like mood swings, loss of interest in other activities, etc.
Learn More from Dubai Police’s Online Education Platform
The Dubai Police has advised parents like you to explore the educational cybercrime platform, which is going to provide you with detailed information in Arabic and English. Here, you will read the following sources:
- Cybercrime prevention tips
- How to recognize and avoid scams
- Tools for safe internet usage
The platform is designed for all people of society, including parents, kids, social media users, etc. It is an excellent source to empower the safety of your family from the cyberthreats.
Where to Report Cybercrimes
Suppose your child or you fall into the trap of a cyberattack. In that case, the Dubai Police has made it easier for you to register your complaint. Below are the ways to register it:
- You should call 911.
- It would be best to use the eCrime platform of the Dubai Police.
- You could also download and use the Dubai police app on your smartphones.
- You can also visit the official portal of the Dubai Police.
These platforms are secure and developed to help you take the important actions if needed.
Your Role in Your Child’s Online Safety
You can use video or online games as a source of joy and creativity for your children. However, they can also become a source of gateway for cybercrime without proper guidance. Therefore, the Dubai Police has advised parents and guardians to stay informed and set clear boundaries. In addition, it would be best to use available tools to protect your children while gaming.
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