UNICEF Gulf

From internet safety to digital parenting and child protection; here are key moments from UNICEF at the Global Cybersecurity Forum. #GCF2025

During the Global Cybersecurity Forum, UNICEF’s Afrooz Kaviani Johnson, PhD, Helen Mason, and Michael Marwa joined an open forum on the future of child helplines. Child helplines are trusted, confidential services that provide children with a safe space to seek help, share concerns, and access support. But in today’s digital world, where risks like cyberbullying, grooming, and harmful content are growing, helplines must evolve. Child helplines are uniquely positioned to meet children where they are, and adapting them for the digital age is vital to ensuring no child is left without protection.

As children live, learn, and play more of their lives online, the need to scale both protection and inclusion has never been greater. At the Global Cybersecurity Forum, UNICEF’s Director of Child Protection Sheema Sen Gupta, H.E. Sofiane Hemissi (Minister of Communication Technologies), Dr. Maimoonah Al Khalil (Secretary General, مجلس شؤون الأسرة), and Iain Drennan (Executive Director, WeProtect Global Alliance) came together for an open forum on how to ensure every child can thrive safely in the digital age. The conversation highlighted the urgent need for stronger partnerships, innovation, and shared responsibility to make digital spaces inclusive and protective for all children.

Parents everywhere are worried about the risks their children face online, and they are asking for effective tools to help keep them safe. At the Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh, UNICEF led the CyberSafe Futures session, guided by Afrooz Kaviani Johnson, PhD, to explore how parenting programmes can adapt to today’s digital challenges.   The discussion highlighted two essentials for protecting children online: 1- Parents and caregivers – strengthening support at home through evidence-based parenting programmes. 2- Child helplines – ensuring every child has access to safe, trusted services when they need help.   The session shared evidence and innovations that can make a real difference in children’s digital lives.

At the Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh, UNICEF and the Forum co-hosted the Gaming with Safety roundtable, led by Sheema Sen Gupta, on how gaming platforms can become safer environments for children everywhere. Discussions centered on three key areas: - Using gaming to promote children’s safety and well-being. - Embedding child rights and safety into design from the start. - Ensuring children and young people’s voices are part of building safer digital worlds.   Online games have the power to connect, inspire, and educate. But they also carry risks that demand collective action. By working alongside governments, industry leaders, academics, and civil society, we are striving to ensure play also means protection.

At the #UNGA80 high-level event "A Global Call to Invest in the Early Years", H.E. Rym Al Falasi, Secretary General of Supreme Council for Motherhood & Childhood, highlighted the UAE’s commitment to children, noting: "Every dirham invested in a child’s early years yields lasting returns. By investing early, we safeguard the future of our nation.” #ForEveryChild

Today at the #SocialCareForum in Abu Dhabi, UNICEF joined experts and changemakers to explore how social care systems can shift from reactive approaches to proactive, lifelong support. UNICEF Gulf Deputy Representative, Jumana Haj-Ahmad, highlighted why investing in children and adolescents is not only a moral imperative but also the smartest economic strategy: “Early childhood and adolescence are two decisive windows of opportunity. The care, protection, and learning opportunities we provide in these stages shape not just children’s health and education, but their lifelong resilience and contribution to society. Investing in children is investing in stronger, more cohesive communities.” – Jumana Haj-Ahmad. From early childhood programmes to adolescent mental health and anti-bullying initiatives, UNICEF works alongside partners in the UAE to build future-ready social care systems that prioritize prevention and inclusion. #ForEveryChild

🇸🇦 في اليوم الوطني السعودي، شاركونا الأطفال وش تعني لهم كلمة وطن.. وأحلامهم في مساعدة أطفال العالم اللي يحتاجون الدعم. #اليوم_الوطني_السعودي #عزّنا_بطبعنا  🇸🇦 On #SaudiNationalDay, children share what “watan” means to them… and their dreams of helping other children in need. 

شركاؤنا في السعودية، عزّ وفخر في مسيرتنا من أجل كل طفل. 🇸🇦 #اليوم_الوطني_السعودي

When girls play, the cycle of child marriage breaks. Thanks to the powerful partnership between UNICEF, KSrelief, and Saudi Esports Federation, sport is changing the game for girls in Bangladesh. UNICEF Bangladesh