Raising children in the age of social media remains an important topic in parenting circles. While popular platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram provide avenues for connection, entertainment and education, they can also be a minefield of inappropriate content, cyber bullying and privacy concerns.
Parents, therefore, have found themselves navigating what can be a complex social media landscape, seeking to balance their children’s digital freedom with their safety and well-being.
With the minimum age requirement to create social media accounts set at 13 years old on many platforms, questions about how much parental control to exercise become profound.
According to Dr Wafa Saoud, a child specialist and clinical psychologist at Sage Clinics in Dubai, parental supervision is “important during adolescence”.
“Adolescents are generally more open to taking risks, as they naturally explore and learn about the world,” she tells The National. Saoud explains how parental monitoring may help minimise risks by teaching children about the potential dangers of social media.
Bushra Khan, an emotional well-being coach at Wellth, adds: “Parents should discuss their concerns and the reasons for monitoring, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding.”
An open conversation, she explains, provides opportunities for parents to educate teenagers about digital citizenship, privacy and responsible social media use.
Parental control features
Social media platforms are aware of the potential dangers for young users. TikTok, for example, has created several tools for parents to better monitor and control their children's digital presence.
“We know that you, as caregivers, want to help your teenagers learn about digital safety so they can manage their online presence, both now and as they grow into adulthood,” says the platform.
On Instagram, parents can also link their children's accounts to theirs and control everything from their exposure to certain content, plus their interaction with other users and screen time.
These features constantly evolve, as platforms are also aware that online behaviour and social media use can be hard to police sometimes.
Earlier this year, for example, the Meta-owned platform announced a feature where teenage-held accounts can't receive direct messages from anyone they don't follow or aren't connected to by default. TikTok also has similar mechanics for accounts held by users aged 13 to 15, wherein they can't send or receive direct messages at all.
On its website, Instagram says its parental supervision tools are “intended to help facilitate offline conversations between parents and their teenagers, as they navigate their online lives together and decide what’s best for them and their family”.
The dangers of 'over surveillance'
But excessive surveillance can erode trust between parents and teenagers, according to Khan.
“It can may make teenagers feel that their privacy is being invaded, leading to resentment and secrecy,” she says. There's also the risk of increased anxiety and stress among teenagers who may feel “constantly judged” because of draconian monitoring tactics.
It's important for teenagers to have a space to develop autonomy and self-regulation, Khan adds. “Over surveillance can hinder this development, making it harder for them to learn how to manage online interactions independently.”
Salman Kareem, a specialist psychiatrist at Aster Royal Clinic Downtown, says the concept of control can be subjective between families and cultures. What's important, he adds, is that teenagers are “gradually taught independence and decision-making”.
Saoud recommends a scaffolded approach when teaching teenagers how to use social media.
“For example, parents can start by setting rules around the type of content that teenagers follow and post, and the amount of use permitted a day,” she says.
“I also encourage parents to curiously sit with their teenagers when they first start to use social media,” explains Saoud, adding how parents should gradually reduce supervision as teenagers exhibit responsible behaviour online.
Ultimately, Khan says that parental surveillance should be “balanced with the teen's need for autonomy and privacy. Effective communication, clear guidelines and respect for the teen's individuality are key to ensuring that parental control is both effective and acceptable.”
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
CREW
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Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok
UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final
(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The%20specs
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Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Bib%20Gourmand%20restaurants
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
57%20Seconds
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
England squad
Joe Root (captain), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Ben Stokes (vice-captain), Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Toby Roland-Jones, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
All you need to know about Formula E in Saudi Arabia
What The Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix
When Saturday
Where Diriyah in Saudi Arabia
What time Qualifying takes place from 11.50am UAE time through until the Super Pole session, which is due to end at 12.55pm. The race, which will last for 45 minutes, starts at 4.05pm.
Who is competing There are 22 drivers, from 11 teams, on the grid, with each vehicle run solely on electronic power.
