The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF), in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), organized a workshop titled “Their Digital Safety Starts with Your Awareness,” with the participation of more than 500 social workers and psychologists from public and private schools. The workshop was part of the digital safety campaign “A Digitally Aware Family... Their Protection Is Your Responsibility.” The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), and Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW), represented by the Parenting Center “Kanaf” and the Behavioral Healthcare Center “Daam”, also took part.

The workshop is part of MSDF’s efforts to raise awareness of digital safety and to equip social workers and psychologists to help protect students from digital risks. It also aims to strengthen cooperation between families, schools and relevant entities to provide a safe digital environment for children and young people.

Assistant Director of the Family Development Department at MSDF Nouf Al Abdullah said the workshop was part of the ministry’s efforts to establish a culture of digital safety and to strengthen the role of families and schools in protecting children and young people. She said it was important to give social workers and psychologists the knowledge and tools they need to promote safe digital behavior, which helps build a safer digital environment for future generations.

The workshop presented the Digital Upbringing Guide prepared by MCIT’s Safe Space program, including its contents and how to use it in practice. Digital Safety Project Manager at MCIT Fatima Hassan explained that the guide is a reference that supports teachers, social workers and psychologists in dealing with the digital challenges children and young people face. She said its guidelines and practical activities help them raise students’ awareness and encourage safe, responsible digital behavior, strengthening the joint role of schools and families in digital safety.

The workshop also covered the Digital Upbringing Guide for Parents and Educators and the executive framework for activating the digital safety plan in schools. Psychological Consultant at the School Affairs Department at MOEHE Dr. Ahmed Al Hadidi stressed the importance of activating the digital safety plan in the school environment and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved. He noted the key role of social workers and psychologists in teaching students safe digital practices and in working with parents to protect them from digital risks.

NCSA presented its initiatives to promote digital safety for children and young people, and showed how educators and parents can benefit from its initiatives, guides and specialized websites. Trainer at the Cyber Security Policies and Strategies Department at NCSA Lulwa Ibrahim said spreading a culture of cyber security among children and young people is a cornerstone of their safety online. She stressed the importance of raising awareness of cyber risks and promoting safe digital practices.

On responsible digital parenting, Head of the Parental Counseling Section at the Parenting Center “Kanaf”, affiliated with QFSW, Afia Al Saadi said responsible digital parenting begins with parents and educators understanding the challenges children face in the digital world. She highlighted the importance of family dialogue, ongoing guidance, and balanced rules for using smart devices, which build children’s trust in their families and develop positive, safe digital behavior.

Self-Support Specialist at the Behavioral Healthcare Center “Daam”, affiliated with QFSW, Faisal Al Ashari stressed the importance of raising digital awareness among parents and educators and their role in preventing unsafe digital behavior. He emphasized the need for positive communication with children and young people, and for helping them balance technology use with daily activities to support their mental and behavioral health.

The workshop ended with an open discussion with the social workers and psychologists. It covered the main digital safety challenges in schools and ways to improve cooperation and share expertise among the relevant entities, in order to develop awareness and educational practices that protect students.

The workshop is one of the awareness activities of the digital safety campaign “A Digitally Aware Family... Their Protection Is Your Responsibility.” The campaign aims to establish a culture of digital safety in society, strengthen the role of families and educational institutions in protecting children and young people, and build a more aware and responsible society in its use of modern technologies.