Setting Boundaries: Protecting Children When Using Delivery Apps in the UAE
The Sharjah Child Safety Organisation has issued a timely reminder to parents regarding the risks associated with children using food and shopping delivery apps without adult oversight. While these services have become a seamless part of modern life, experts warn that children often lack the maturity to handle the responsibilities that come with them, such as making payments, sharing home addresses, or interacting with delivery personnel at the door. To mitigate these risks, parents are encouraged to implement stricter digital boundaries, including disabling saved payment methods, activating purchase notifications, and utilizing parental control tools to monitor activity on shared devices.
Ultimately, the goal of these guidelines is not to restrict a child’s access to technology but to foster a safer digital environment through active supervision. Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Director General of the organisation, emphasizes that digital independence should be a gradual process rather than an automatic privilege. Parents should prioritize open communication, teaching their children that activities like ordering items or sharing personal data require adult approval. By establishing clear rules about who opens the door and how digital accounts are managed, families can take advantage of modern convenience without compromising their safety or security.