Page 52 - SAMENA Trends - August 2020

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Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority Launches ‘Child Online Protection Guide’

the guide is intended to support parents in the development of good
digital habits while providing local and international resources to
ensure they can fulfil their responsibility in keeping their children
safe online. The "Child Online Protection Guide" will help parents
understand how they can guide their children by supporting safe,
structured and healthy online activity from an early age. It also
helps parents understand the potential risks of children using the
internet and electronic games, such as cyberbullying and child
abuse. The guide provides information on dealing with problems
and reporting them. Besides, the guide introduces the most
important resources that the internet can provide to children of
determination to meet their educational, social and entertainment
needs. ECA reaffirmed that the internet can be a wonderful tool
for young children, particularly during this current period, where
it can help facilitate distance learning. However, an increase in
the amount of time spent online by children also brings online
risks such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online
predators. This guide has been created to empower parents
and provide them with the knowledge and tools to protect their
children online. It also aims to develop their skills such as access
to educational content, logical thinking, problem-solving, research
and language. The Authority calls on parents and the workforce in
the early childhood development sector to familiarize themselves
The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, ECA, has launched the with the guide by visiting the parents’ platform, which was recently
first of its kind, "Child Online Protection guide", in the UAE, as part launched within the Takween program via www.eca.gov.ae for all
of the Takween Summer Program 2020. The guide focuses on to benefit from the ECA initiatives and activities, and enhance their
providing a holistic approach to all potential threats and risks of experiences and skills to protect their children and provide optimal
harm that children at an early age, and beyond, may encounter child development, enrich the family and educational environment
online on social media platforms, electronic games and other with diverse learning resources, knowledge to establish a safe
digital platforms. The guide is available for parents and caregivers and healthy environment, and ensure optimal use of the summer
to download via the ECA website. With high internet usage in the vacation.
UAE and 99 percent of the population being active on social media,

Saudi Arabia Becomes the 5th Fastest Mobile Internet Network Worldwide

Saudi Arabia has jumped five places for the fastest 5G mobile network during speeds in the world, is a testament of stc's
globally in terms of mobile internet speed, Q2 2020. Stc has also won, for the 4th commitment to offer the best services
ranking 5th worldwide with a speed of 71.73 consecutive year, the award for the fastest to its customers in the Kingdom, elevate
MB/s as announced by Speedtest website, mobile network speed, and the award for community services in the Kingdom,
specialized in measuring internet speeds the best mobile coverage provided by a and offer a perfect customer experience,
around the world. Ookla company, the telecommunication company in the KSA. as well as its commitment to its central
owner of Speedtest website, has already Winning these awards which are offered role in enabling digital transformation in
announced that stc has won the award by the top platform for measuring internet accordance with Saudi Vision 2030.

TRA Signs Deal with OBC to Connect Villages and Schools

Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory telephony and internet services to rural via satellite, in order to bridge the digital
Authority (TRA) has announced the signing villages and schools in the fourth quarter divide.
of an agreement with state-owned Oman of the year. Under the agreement, OBC
Broadband Company (OBC) to supply will connect 598 villages and 141 schools

52 AUGUST 2020