Bahrain’s children deserve a digital Eden: MP Al Dhaen

TDT | Manama                                                     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Mahir Haneef 

Bahrain’s children deserve a digital playground as safe and vibrant as the coral reefs that hug their shores.

That’s the vision driving MP Dr. Maryam Al Dhaen’s call for a comprehensive child-safe media strategy, a roadmap to shield young minds from online dangers while nurturing their intellectual growth. Al Dhaen’s plan isn’t about bubble wrap and censorship.

It’s about empowering children to navigate the digital world with smarts and savvy. Picture this: Bahraini kids co-create content, master tech skills, and explore age-appropriate programmes on a dedicated TV channel, all while learning to dodge the trolls and pitfalls of the internet.

“Childhood is the fertile ground for future societies,” Al Dhaen declares. “We must sow the seeds of critical thinking, not expose them to the weeds of inappropriate content.”

Her strategy tackles this head-on, urging collaboration between ministries, families, and educators to cultivate a digital oasis where values bloom alongside pixels.

Al Dhaen’s proposed strategy outlines several key objectives, including actively involving children in media through creative production and interaction with content.

Additionally, the plan aims to bolster digital safety by educating children about the potential dangers of the internet and social media and equipping them with the skills needed to safeguard their privacy and values in the digital realm.

The parliamentarian stressed the urgency of establishing a dedicated television channel for children and creating age-appropriate content on various social media platforms.

These programmes, she explained, would not only impart technological and digital media skills to children but also contribute to their intellectual development during this crucial stage.

“Childhood is one of the most important phases of intellectual development, and content must be tailored to meet the needs and privacy of this age group,” Al Dhaen asserted.

She expressed concern about inappropriate content that often circulates on various media platforms, emphasizing the necessity of providing alternatives that align with values, morals, and human nature.

Imagine vibrant social media platforms brimming with content that sparks curiosity, not anxiety.

Al Dhaen envisions these platforms as springboards for intellectual development, not breeding grounds for negativity.

Her proposal echoes Bahrain’s unwavering commitment to protecting its youngest citizens, a promise enshrined in its constitution.

This isn’t just about Bahrain; it’s a beacon for the region.

Al Dhaen’s call resonates with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a global chorus demanding access to information that nourishes, not poisons, young minds.

As the dust settles on this proposal, one thing is certain: Bahrain is poised to become a pioneer in crafting a digital haven for its children, a model for a world where technology empowers, not endangers, the next generation.

So, let’s watch this space. The sands of Bahrain’s digital desert are shifting, and the seeds of a brighter future for its children are being sown.

The question is, will the world take root and follow suit? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: Bahrain’s children deserve a digital Eden, and MP Al Dhaen is leading the charge to make it bloom.