(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
By Sidi Mohamed
The Peninsula
DOHA: The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has urged the public to be vigilant and not to expose children and minors to offensive material circulated through social media apps.
It advised customers to stay safe and be cautious while using apps such as SnapChat, Periscope, Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc. 'that provide audio, video and multimedia content that may be offensive, sensitive or entirely inappropriate culturally, for underage audiences,” or for the security of individuals and businesses.
'As an informed consumer, ensure minor children in your family or under your care are using age-appropriate apps. Several social media apps have minimum age requirements, you should encourage children around you to respect and abide by them.
'When unavoidable, monitor and supervise children";s usage of apps that may display age inappropriate content,” said a CRA statement yesterday.
Users of social media apps have also been advised to use age restrictions in settings on smart devices that are used exclusively by children without adult supervision. CRA has cautioned against downloading social media apps from sources that are not locally available.
'Download official apps. Where possible, use apps that are locally available to ensure content you are accessing or sharing is culturally appropriate. When in doubt, confirm with your service provider,” CRA said. Customers have also been advised to report to the service provider if they come across any content they feel is explicit or inappropriate culturally.
'Protect your personal data. Sharing your personal information, photos, location and contacts publicly or with apps, may result in undesirable outcomes. Always take precautions,” the statement added.
CRA said, being the regulator for communications and postal sectors as well as access to digital media, it continually works closely with the relevant government authorities, local service providers and other regulators in the GCC member states to ensure netizens in Qatar have access to appropriate content and digital platforms.
Fatima Al Kuwari, Director, Community and Public Relations, Ooredoo, said the company has implemented advanced systems and technology to help protect the public, particularly children.
She stressed: 'It";s important for parents to monitor their children";s behaviour online and prevent them from being exposed to offensive content.”
Al Kuwari said Ooredoo is investing significantly in technologies that can block offensive content and even block some websites. However, she said a comprehensive approach that engaged all parts of the community is essential.
'Families have a key role to play in protecting children, too. Parents have to monitor their children,” she said, adding there are special programmes and software available for it.