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Parents as Key Partners in Enhancing Children's Digital Safety Indicators

With the participation of approximately 200 parents, the National Cybersecurity Agency continues its efforts to strengthen digital safety among school students. As part of this mission, the agency launched the "Cyber Echo" project, which involves field visits to schools to raise awareness of cybersecurity, digital safety, and safe technology usage among students, teachers, school staff, and parents.

Recognizing the critical role parents play in the success of this initiative, the agency—represented by the National Cyber Academy—held a training workshop titled "Digital Safety for Children… Parents First" on Sunday, March 16, 2025. The session was conducted online and attended by nearly 200 participants.

Workshop Objectives and Key Topics

The workshop aimed to:

• Highlight key awareness projects launched by the agency for school students.
• Present achievements from the Cybersecurity Curricula Project and Cyber Echo field visits.
• Educate parents on cyber threats they and their children may encounter online.
• Enhance parents' ability to mitigate risks and protect their children from cyber threats.

The session covered various cybersecurity topics, including:

• Personal data security and digital identity protection.
• Phishing threats and how to recognize scams.
• Two-factor authentication and password security best practices.
• Ransomware prevention and online safety tips for children.
• Addressing cyberbullying and internet addiction risks associated with social media.

Parents’ Role in Strengthening Digital Safety

Ms. Dalal Al-Aqeedi, Director of the National Cyber Excellence Department, emphasized that parents are essential partners in implementing the agency's initiatives, particularly Cyber Echo, and stated "Without a strong connection between schools and homes, ensuring the successful implementation of field visits and reinforcing the practical application of workshop content in daily digital interactions is impossible. Training and educating parents on safe technology use is just as important as training their children. A well-informed parent directly contributes to creating a safer digital environment for children, benefiting the entire Qatari society."

Al-Aqeedi also urged parents to actively support the Cyber Echo initiative, highlighting that achieving its goals requires collaboration across all levels of the education system, including families.

Cyber Echo’s Awareness Tools for Parents

As part of the initiative, Cyber Echo provides an educational guide for parents, which:

• Explains the project’s objectives, tools, and cybersecurity topics covered.
• Outlines the evaluation process for students participating in the workshops.
• Serves as a training resource to help parents navigate modern technology.
• Raises awareness of cybersecurity principles and digital safety best practices.

By equipping parents with these tools, the agency aims to empower families to play a more active role in promoting safe digital habits for children, ultimately contributing to a more cyber-secure society.