• H.E Mrs. Reem Al Mansoori: Various digital tools are available to help parents manage their children's use of electronic devices effectively and safely.
• Duha Al Buhendi: The real challenge in raising children today lies in open communication with them and equipping them with the skills to achieve a healthy balance when using technology.
• MCIT hub attracted a large number of participants, including policymakers, youth, and families.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) participated in the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family (IYF) conference, organized by the Doha International Family Institute at the Qatar National Convention Centre from October 30-31, 2024. MCIT’s participation included involvement in panel discussions, the Speakers’ Corner, and the establishment of a special Family Technology Hub. This hub featured a variety of interactive activities, including a hologram-based virtual simulation, digital competitions, and games aimed at raising awareness of internet ethics.

The Ministry’s hub showcased interactive activities that aimed to educate families about digital ethics, cybersecurity, and positive technology usage. The hub highlighted two key initiatives: "Safe Space," focused on family safety in the digital environment, and the "Studio 5" platform, which provides a creative digital space for youth. Visitors engaged with various activities such as "Digital World Adventures" to learn about digital safety, the "Virtual World Lab" featuring culturally themed virtual reality games, and the Minecraft game, which promotes digital safety in collaboration with Microsoft.

H.E. Mrs. Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Industry Affairs at MCIT, participated in a panel discussion titled " Family Time X Screen Time: Finding the Right Balance" H.E. presented the Ministry’s initiatives, such as the SafeSpace program, which offers over 500 educational resources on internet safety, cybersecurity, and privacy protection, benefiting around 250,000 individuals. H.E. Mrs. Al Mansoori emphasized the importance of the "Akhlaqi Qatar" initiative to promote awareness of responsible digital behavior and ethics in the digital space. H.E. highlighted the need to empower parents with digital tools to monitor their children’s device usage effectively. H.E. Mrs. Al Mansoori also highlighted the importance of collaborating with the private sector to create a secure digital environment aligned with family protection standards. This involves enhancing child data protection laws, developing effective parental control tools, and encouraging tech companies to integrate safety standards into their platforms through strong public-private partnerships.

In the Speakers’ Corner, Mrs. Duha Ali Al Buhendi, Director of the Digital Society and Digital Competencies Department at MCIT, led a session titled " Parents as Partners: Digital Skills for the Next Generation" Mrs. Al Buhendi highlighted the vital role parents play in shaping their children’s digital future, adding that the success of young people in managing technology lies in fostering open dialogue with them and providing tools for balance between the virtual world and real life. She discussed the challenges families face in the digital age, emphasizing the need to create a home environment that supports positive use of smart devices. She called for leveraging technology as a tool for skill development and communication, while preserving the value of human relationships.

Mrs. Shaikha Ali Al Marri, Digital Business Analyst Researcher in the Digital Industry Policies Department at MCIT, presented a session titled "Family and Technology: Balancing the Advantages and Disadvantages in the Digital Era". She explored the benefits and challenges technology brings to modern family life, emphasizing the importance of becoming creators of our daily moments by designing real spaces that foster human connection away from screens. Mrs. Al Marri advocated for a reevaluation of our relationship with technology, so it serves our lives rather than controlling them. She emphasized the importance of setting aside time each day to disconnect from devices and engage in face-to-face interactions, helping to build healthy habits that support a balance between digital and real life and contribute to better mental well-being.

MCIT’s hub attracted widespread attention from conference participants, with visits from H.E Dr. Hussein Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, H.E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation and H.E. Mrs. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Minister of Social Development and Family. MCIT’s hub also welcomed a distinguished audience of policymakers, thought leaders, youth, and families.

Through engaging presentations and innovative interactive activities, the Ministry successfully raised awareness of the importance of balanced technology use and its positive impact on quality of life and sustainable progress. MCIT’s efforts emphasized values of respect and integrity in the digital world, highlighting the importance of building a safe and positive digital environment that supports growth and development, especially in light of the increasing challenges in the digital world.

The 30th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family Conference served as a valuable platform to highlight the importance of digital literacy, cybersecurity, and ethics in family life. Through its participation, MCIT reaffirmed its commitment to supporting families in adapting to the digital society. Key takeaways included the need for continuous education on safe technology practices, promoting technology as a tool to strengthen family relationships, and fostering global collaboration on family-friendly digital policies in the digital age.