His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Vice Chairman of the Arab Youth Centre, headed a delegation of representatives from the Federal Youth Authority (FYA) and the Arab Youth Centre to the First Arab Meeting on ‘The Impact of Social Media on Youth’.
Organised by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication of Morocco, as part of the programmes of the League of Arab States, the meeting sought to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the digital space and to promote the constructive and responsible use of digital platforms among youth.
Youth Readiness
H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi affirmed that: “The UAE is committed to developing legislation and initiatives that raise the level of preparedness among future generations, enable them to navigate digital challenges, and support their ability to produce impactful content and actively participate in the development journey. Today, the digital space is one of the most prominent influences on the lives of Arab youth. With that in mind, we must empower them to develop the skills they need to responsibly address rapid developments, seize the opportunities provided by advanced technologies, and support their aspirations to serve their communities.”
“The world is witnessing a rapid digital transformation that has made social media a highly influential space,” H.E. Al Neyadi added. “Young people have enormous potential, which enables them to actively contribute to knowledge creation. This calls for continuous cooperation and the exchange of expertise among all Arab youth institutions, in addition to launching joint initiatives that build capabilities and promote the constructive use of all digital platforms. Joint efforts have yielded significant outcomes, underscoring the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach designed to enhance the youth’s role in utilising modern technologies to serve their communities and boost development opportunities.”
Notable Outcomes
The meeting concluded with a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing digital awareness among youth. These included integrating digital education into educational institutions, raising awareness about the risks of digital addiction and its psychological and social impacts, and empowering families to monitor their children and guide them towards adopting sensible digital behaviours.
Furthermore, the recommendations highlighted the need to develop digital mental health programmes, enhance personal data protection, and combat cybercrimes and hate speech. They also called for increasing algorithmic transparency across digital platforms, encouraging Arab scientific research in the fields of digital media and artificial intelligence, and supporting youth-led initiatives to produce purposeful content that serves societies.
Exchanging Expertise
On the sidelines of the visit, H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi held a meeting with H.E. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication of Morocco, to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation in youth-related fields and sharing expertise in developing initiatives and programmes aimed at empowering youth and enhancing their participation in various development-related sectors.
The visit also included stops at several youth and academic institutions, including Dar Al Shabab and the Higher Institute of Information and Communication, to learn about their programmes and initiatives related to youth capacity building, which forms the cornerstone of development in sectors of national priority.
