UAE: 8 Convicted for Online Child Sexual Exploitation via Gaming and Social Media
The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court has sentenced eight individuals to prison terms ranging from three to fifteen years for online child sexual exploitation. Investigations revealed that the offenders lured minors through social media and gaming platforms, encouraging them to share explicit material. The court also imposed fines of up to Dh1 million.
Key Details
Safeguarding Measures
Training for Schools
All teachers and school leadership teams receive comprehensive safeguarding training to ensure schools are fully prepared to protect students from online risks. This training covers:
- Recognizing signs of online exploitation
- Responding to disclosures and incidents
- Educating students about online safety
- Collaborating with parents and authorities
Parental Guidance
The Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution urges parents to:
- Monitor children’s online activities
- Raise awareness about the dangers of accepting friend requests from unknown individuals
- Educate children on how to respond to blackmail or suspicious behavior
Z PD Online Safety Initiative
Educational Webinars for Families
Z PD is committed to protecting children online by providing comprehensive educational webinars designed for both parents and students. These interactive sessions focus on:
- For Parents: Understanding digital platforms, recognizing warning signs, and creating safe online environments at home
- For Students: Age-appropriate online safety practices, identifying suspicious behavior, and knowing when to seek help
- For Families: Building open communication about digital experiences and establishing healthy screen time boundaries
Contact Z PD to schedule a webinar for your school or community
UAE’s Commitment to Child Protection
The UAE actively combats online child abuse through:
- Participation in global operations, such as the “AI for Safer Kids” initiative by the Ministry of Interior and UNICRI
- Training law enforcement officers in international best practices
- Collaboration with 15 countries in a major operation
Original news source:
Khaleej Times, “UAE: 8 convicted for sexually exploiting children via online gaming, social media”
khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-8-convicted-of-online-child-sex-exploitation-in-abu-dhabi