In celebration of Safer Internet Day, Google and INJAZ Al-Arab hosted a virtual panel discussion to help students across the region to learn more about Internet safety and digital citizenship
The “Online Safety Habits & Online Learning” discussion took place on Wednesday, 17 February 2021.
The pandemic has seen consumer behaviour shift online, with almost two-thirds of the overall Middle East and North Africa (MENA) population becoming digitally active especially via their mobile phones and tablets. Children, many of whom are experiencing distance learning went from the classroom to remote learning – significantly increasing the time spent online and the risks associated with lack of awareness about the tools and skills needed to stay safe online and protect their privacy
INJAZ Al-Arab CEO, Akef Aqrabawi, said, “Our strategic partnership with Google stems from our commitment to ensuring the youth in the MENA region are well-equipped with the necessary tools and skills to tackle the challenges they are presented with. We want to enhance their understanding of the tools they have at hand, not only so they can navigate distance learning, but to provide them with the knowledge and resources that would enable them to receive optimum learning, while ensuring their safety and digital well-being.”
Selim Edde, director of government affairs and public policy in MENA at Google Arabia, said, “Learning how to stay safe online and how to be a responsible digital citizen are skills that are incredibly important for everyone, especially youth. Our partnership with INJAZ Al-Arab is in response to the growing role technology is playing in supporting education, as more and more children and youth learn remotely. This is why we need to work together to equip youth and teachers with the necessary tools so that they can stay safe online and explore the web with greater confidence and learn more about how to be responsible digital citizens.”
The partnership between Google and INJAZ aims to train more than 26,000 students across the Middle East and North Africa on Google’s Abtal Al Internet programme, which helps provide youth between the ages of seven and 13 with the necessary knowledge regarding the basics of digital citizenship, online safety and privacy so that they can explore the online world with confidence.
