Doha: The Katara's Cultural Village Foundation on Thursday organized the 22nd seminar entitled: "Technology and Family: Towards a Balance between Digital Evolution and Child Protection". Held as part of the Katara Tech Forum, in collaboration with Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the seminar brought together a substantial number of interested academics and specialists.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Katara Tech Forum is determined to foster vibrant movement to promote the IT culture in the community and support outstanding projects in this area, in addition to showcasing trailblazing projects. The forum featured the participation of Executive Director of DIFI, Dr. Sharifa Al Emadi, and Cybercrime Prevention Officer at UNODC, Jordi Martin.
In his opening remarks, Director of Katara's Information Technology Department, Thamer Al Qadi, highlighted that the event has been a critical platform for conversations about exigent issues imposed by the digital epoch, affirming that technology has become an integral part of individuals' daily life that affects all life aspects, including families and children upbringing. He stressed the importance of ensuring the provision of a safe environment for children to be well protected against the risks posed by the technological advancements and simultaneously maximizing their potential to take advantage of the formidable merits of technology in learning and advancement.
Al Qadi indicated that Katara performs an incredible role in enhancing dialogue on issues that directly touch the community, highlighting that the forum brings together a host of experts to review the challenges and opportunities posed by technological advancement. He added that the event also intends to share perspectives on ways to achieve equilibrium between digital innovation and protecting the next generations.
Highlighting the impact of technology on children, Dr. Al Emadi emphasized DIFI's role in studying the technological impact on families, along with the adverse impacts of electronic games on children, in addition to exploring avenues for positively leveraging the cutting-edge technology in child upbringing. DIFI has unilaterally and collaboratively conducted some studies, with a range of entities and institutions on electronic addiction and families' role in countering addiction, she underlined.
Dr. Al Emadi stressed the importance of supporting education to turbocharge children with essential skills to be protected against the detrimental impacts of technology and intensifying familial educational programs. For his part, Jordi Martin tackled cybercrimes and digital risks. He stressed that children, by their nature, interact with their periphery and curiously monitor everything around them, making them prey to internet risks, indicating that nobody is entirely immune in the internet space, thereby making anyone a victim.
He underlined that cyber pulling is a dire threat for both adults and children, stressing that parents must be pretty decisive when children use smartphones and ensure they are not kept on their hands whatever the pressure might be so as to protect them against risks.