Cyber-bullies in the United Arab Emirates could face six months in prison with fines of up to 105,000 GBP.
According to local media, one in three students aged between 12 and 15 are cyber-bullied around the world.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), over 60 percent of children aged between three and four use smartphones while 23 percent of them regularly visit spam sites, according to Dr. Anwar Hamim Bin Saleem.
At a workshop he held on cyber-bullying at Ajman University (AU) in the emirate of Ajman, Bin Saleem said: “Over 80 percent of teens in the UAE use phones on a regular basis and face the risk of cyber-bullying.”
He added that 64 percent of cyber-bullied children have been negatively affected by the ordeal.
Bin Saleem said: “In 2017, around 70 percent of children were cyber-bullied in Malaysia, while the rate increased in Europe from 10 percent in 2010 to 12 per cent in 2014.”
Dr Abdulhaq Al Nuaimi, vice-chancellor for Communication and Community Affairs, said: “It is the responsibility of all entities to enlighten the public about the hazards of this phenomenon and come up with the right solutions.”
According to local media, cybercrimes are punishable by prison terms of at least six months with the possibility of a fine of between 150,000 and 500,000 AED (31,600 GBP and 105,300 GBP) in the UAE.
Meanwhile, the local authorities have called on the public to report any incidents to the authorities.
Bin Saleem also said that mums and dads should do more, adding: “Parents should talk and listen more to their children, and develop their awareness about such cybercrimes.”
