Discussion Focused on Protecting Society from the Dangers of Suspicious Messages "Majalis Abu Dhabi" and the CSC Explore Family Protection and Combating Malicious Messages

"Majalis Abu Dhabi", in collaboration with the UAE Cybersecurity Council (CSC), is organizing a high-level discussion session titled "The Family and the Fight Against Malicious Messages," to be held on Saturday, September 27, at the Al Tiwayya Majlis. The session, a part of a series of community outreach events aimed at enhancing digital literacy across various segments of society, will be led by His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government. It will focus on equipping families to protect themselves from the growing array of cyber threats.

The discussion explores strategies to strengthen the family’s role in countering malicious electronic messages, now among the most widespread and dangerous tools of cyber fraud in the digital age. With the proliferation of digital platforms and the increasing reliance on social media and digital technologies in everyday communication and tasks, these messages have become a preferred tactic for hackers to breach devices, steal data, or lure victims into clicking on fraudulent links, resulting in serious financial and informational losses. In this context, families are expected to take on an educational and preventive role to protect their children from falling prey to such attacks.

The session will focus on several key topics, most notably the importance of empowering children with digital knowledge from an early age, teaching them how to distinguish between useful and harmful content, and promoting a culture of early reporting of any suspicious activity or attempted cyber intrusion. It will also highlight how families can monitor their children's use of technology without infringing on their privacy, through the use of smart parental control tools that emphasize guidance and encouragement rather than direct surveillance.

Additionally, the session will address the family’s responsibility in educating their children about malicious messages: what they are, how to recognize them, and how to respond. This includes identifying suspicious subject lines that make false promises, links or attachments from untrusted sources, and tactics used by attackers to make a message appear as though it comes from an official entity. This foundational awareness acts as the first line of defense, enabling children to pause and think before clicking on any link or sharing personal information.

The discussions will also cover the growing number of cybercrime reports related to youth, which indicates an encouraging rise in awareness and trust in relevant authorities. However, threats such as online extortion, financial fraud, digital blackmail, and addiction to online gaming continue to pose risks, often leading to inappropriate behaviors. This underscores the critical role of daily parental oversight in helping children and teens, who may lack the experience to safely navigate emails and apps, to avoid these threats.

The family’s role also includes encouraging open communication, where children are comfortable seeking advice before interacting with suspicious messages. Promoting a culture of collective caution within the household not only protects the younger members but also fosters a sense of shared responsibility for digital safety. Moreover, it helps bridge the generational knowledge gap between parents and children concerning modern technology, ensuring more effective and informed supervision.

The session will further emphasize the importance of legal awareness. Children may unknowingly engage in legally questionable activities such as cyberbullying or sharing harmful content, actions that could have criminal consequences. This highlights the urgent need to cultivate a comprehensive cyber culture that balances protection with proper legal and technical guidance.

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti stressed that the family has a fundamental responsibility in instilling values of vigilance and skepticism toward digital temptations, such as fake offers or scam messages claiming fake prizes. He affirmed that ethical awareness and self-control are critical components of cyber protection and reflect sound digital upbringing, on par with moral education in daily life.

Dr. Al Kuwaiti also underscored the importance of encouraging a reporting culture regarding malicious messages. Families should create an environment where children feel safe to first report incidents to their parents and, when appropriate, to the relevant authorities. This approach not only protects individuals but also supports the broader national effort to monitor and reduce the spread of cyber threats.

He further highlighted the necessity of taking preventive technical measures to avoid falling victim to malicious messages. These include installing trusted security software with phishing filters, regularly updating operating systems and applications, and activating privacy settings in email accounts. Though simple, these steps significantly reduce the chances of malicious messages reaching children and add an essential layer of protection.

In conclusion, Dr. Al Kuwaiti reiterated that beyond technical measures, families play a vital role in reinforcing the values of awareness and self-regulation. Moral integrity and responsible digital behavior form an integral part of the broader cybersecurity system and represent the foundation of a digitally aware and ethically grounded generation.