About one in three children in the UAE have been contacted by strangers online, data from the UAE government's cyber security council reveals, with 19 per cent – or one in five – facing digital threats.
The data also shows that 97 per cent of children as young as seven regularly use gadgets, with 64 per cent using their devices to watch videos and 52 per cent using them to play games.
In 2024, there were about 1.89 million children aged 14 and under in the UAE, comprising 15.12 per cent of the population, according to statistics by Global Media Insight.
Those aged 15 to 24 accounted for 9.14 per cent, or roughly 1.14 million people.
What are the risks?
Various forms of attacks, including cyber bullying, cyber grooming and extortion, can be carried out when hackers obtain control of devices used by children.
Last year, the Dubai Criminal Court sentenced a man, 29, to three years in prison for using social media platforms such as Snapchat and WhatsApp to exploit children and trick them into sharing inappropriate photos, which he saved on his phone.
The case came to light when a mother found disturbing messages on her teen son’s phone and reported it to Dubai Police’s cyber crime department.
Investigations uncovered more evidence of the man’s actions including numerous explicit images and videos of minors on mobile phones.
How to protect children
Parents are advised to follow three key steps to protect their children online. These include enhancing privacy settings to block unknown contacts, managing screen time to restrict harmful content and reviewing children’s online activities while teaching them to recognise and avoid suspicious links and strangers.
For children like Ali Oboudi, 13, an eighth-year pupil at the International School of Choueifat in Sharjah, encounters with strangers online are all too common.
“I often receive WhatsApp messages from strangers,” Ali said. “Some offer fake Amazon discounts, and some even advertise fake jobs. I report and block them immediately.”
Ali credits his awareness to a video by Mark Rober, a science content creator.
“I watch Mark Rober’s videos because I love science and, through his content, I came across one that talks about online scams and dangers. It was very helpful,” he said.
Ali believes more effort is needed to educate children. “Some of my friends are aware of these dangers, but others just don’t know or don’t care,” he said.
His schoolmate, Feryal Elbanna, also 13, shared similar experiences. “I’ve received messages promoting drugs and strangers trying to befriend me on WhatsApp. But I always report and block them,” Feryal said. She said her family and her school often speak about online risks.
“My mother often talks to me and my siblings about dangers we may face online. She teaches us how to recognise these threats and what to do if we encounter them. At school, we’ve had lectures where police officers spoke to us about identifying online risks and the importance of informing our parents and verifying links together.”
Share of internet users taking action on data privacy worldwide
What is the UAE doing?
The UAE government regularly launches awareness drives to enhance online safety. In 2020, the country launched the eSafe school to build a smart security structure in schools.
This came a year after the Ministry of Interior launched the Child Digital Safety initiative to educate children about online threats.
Police departments across the country carry out in-person and online campaigns regularly. Their efforts include officers visiting schools and talking to pupils about online dangers.
Schools also contribute by providing continuous resources, lectures and activities that teach children how to stay safe online.
“We recognise the growing challenges children face in navigating the online world and are committed to equipping them with the knowledge and skills to stay safe,” said Carrie Hoza, vice principal and child protection officer at Uptown International School in Dubai. “We teach all our pupils about the importance of cybersecurity and the potential dangers of online interactions.”
The school’s curriculum highlights both the risks of engaging with strangers online and the positive opportunities the digital world offers when used responsibly. The school also hosts workshops and shares advice through newsletters, providing families with the tools they need to create a secure online environment at home.
In January, the school will launch a new initiative to train older students as Online Safety Ambassadors. “This peer-led programme aims to foster a culture of digital responsibility, with students supporting each other in recognising and addressing online threats,” said Ms Hoza.
How are parents coping?
Norah Saleem makes it a priority to talk to her daughter about online safety, describing constant communication as "essential" to good parenting.
“I sit with my daughter regularly to discuss the risks of the internet,” she said. “We’ve had instances where strangers messaged her on Snapchat. My daughter informed me immediately, and we reported and blocked the accounts together. I’ve also taught her to never click on unknown links or share personal information online.”
Ms Saleem noted how technology has changed and can be intimidating, but said that this is no reason to disconnect from children.
“It’s incredible how much more tech-savvy our children are compared to us,” she said. “Instead of feeling left behind, we can use this to engage with them and ask them to teach us.”
She believes this not only boosts their self-esteem but also strengthens trust and keeps the lines of communication open.
“It’s important to have these conversations and stay involved in their digital lives.”
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
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Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Racecard
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The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
The past winners
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2011 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2012 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2017 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
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What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: Dh898,000
On sale: now
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Label: Warner Records
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Rating: 4/5
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday Spezia v Lazio (6pm), Juventus v Torino (9pm), Inter Milan v Bologna (7.45pm)
Sunday Verona v Cagliari (3.30pm), Parma v Benevento, AS Roma v Sassuolo, Udinese v Atalanta (all 6pm), Crotone v Napoli (9pm), Sampdoria v AC Milan (11.45pm)
Monday Fiorentina v Genoa (11.45pm)
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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