Regulating Cyberspace for Children: Reflections on the Qatari Case

Ahmed Badran

Published on: 2024-02-14

Abstract

Technology has become an essential part of human life, and almost no one can prevent his or her children from using it. All traditional children's games, for example, have evolved thanks to the technological boom, and many of them use smart devices that children use for long hours. Hence, technology from that angle can be considered a double-edged sword. On the one hand, modern technologies may have positive effects on a child’s learning and development. On the other hand, such technologies may affect a child’s health and social and educational aspects in a negative way. In that context, regulatory policies play a crucial role in ensuring digital security, especially in the protection of children in cyberspace. The State of Qatar has made significant steps in regulating digital technologies to guarantee the safety of all citizens, including children. The regulatory framework in Qatar employs a multifaceted strategy that encompasses a number of stakeholders, including governmental organizations, internet service providers, academic institutions, and parents. The Law No. 13 of 2016 on the Protection of Personal Data Privacy is the main legal framework that controls cyber security in Qatar. In order to improve digital security, this law imposes stringent guidelines for the gathering, handling, and archiving of personal data. The Cybercrime Prevention Law, which makes any acts that target computer systems or networks illegal, is another important piece of legislation. This law also expressly forbids the ownership or dissemination of child pornography, which is important for safeguarding children online. The Ministry of Communications and the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), which oversees the execution of digital security rules, are two more regulatory agencies that Qatar's government has formed. The aim of this paper is to review the efforts and actions taken by the Qatari government to safeguard children and regulate cyberspace. In dealing with this topic, the paper argues that given the rapid advancement of technology that we are currently witnessing and in order to mitigate the potential negative effects of the widespread use of smart devices and their many applications, governments and relevant stakeholders in society need to collaboratively establish appropriate regulatory frameworks. This topic is becoming more and more important for certain socially vulnerable populations, such as children, who require protection from various sorts of exploitation when using online resources. From this perspective, the paper emphasizes the necessity of concerted governmental and non-governmental efforts in the State of Qatar to develop the regulatory framework that provides protection for children in cyberspace.