Dubai authorities were prompted to take swift action following an alert from Interpol in the United States about a troubling social media post. According to a Khaleej Times report, a child in Dubai had shared images of expired medications on Snapchat, labeling them ‘suicide,’ sparking immediate concerns for the child’s wellbeing and potential influence on peers.
Upon receiving the alert, Major Dr. Ali Mohammed Al Matrooshi, director of the child and women protection department at Dubai Police, emphasized the urgency. “We had to act quickly. The IP address traced back to Dubai, and the implications were serious,” he said during the Child Helpline Forum on Tuesday. Dubai Police worked in coordination with the general department of criminal investigations to identify the account and confirm the child’s safety.
After contacting the family, a psychological assessment found that the child did not show signs of suicidal behavior, explaining that the post was intended as a misguided joke among friends. Dr. Al Matrooshi underscored the need for sensitivity in handling such incidents to prioritize the child’s mental health.
The forum discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in safeguarding children online. Dr. Al Matrooshi noted, “AI can be crucial for identifying and intervening in harmful online behaviors.” International experts, including Mr. Patrick Krens, executive director of Child Helpline International, highlighted in the same Khaleej Times report the collaborations with tech companies to develop software that supports counsellors in recognizing signs of distress.
However, Krens emphasized the irreplaceable role of human empathy in child protection. “AI aids our efforts, but the human touch remains essential for providing care and understanding,” he stated.
Vice-president of the Child Protection Association, Moza Al Shoomi, spoke on AI’s potential to detect children at risk due to family challenges like parental addiction or mental health issues, saying, “AI can analyze family data to alert us to those in need of support.”
The forum closed with calls for stricter regulations on children’s social media use and educational efforts about the risks of sharing sensitive content online. Dr. Al Matrooshi also cautioned against the potential harms of AI, such as privacy invasion, exposure to harmful content, and social isolation, urging a balanced approach to its use in child protection.
