UAE: One in 50 Children Fall Victim to Digital ID Theft, Cybersecurity Council Urges Back-to-School Safety Checks

Abu Dhabi — The UAE’s official Cybersecurity Council warned that one in every 50 children in the country has been targeted by digital identity theft, urging students to review their online habits and security settings ahead of the new school year. The council said the start of term is an opportunity for students to strengthen protections for accounts, devices and personal data as digital platforms become integral to education.
Key recommendations include: not trusting incoming messages blindly, verifying sender identity before clicking links to avoid phishing, using strong passwords and enabling two-step verification for school accounts, and avoiding unnecessary sharing of personal information. The council also recommended conducting a “digital hygiene” routine — updating devices and apps, removing unused applications, and reviewing app permissions to limit unnecessary access to personal data.
The council advised that security software be downloaded only from official and trusted sources and urged students to enable screen locks on school-used devices to prevent unauthorized access if devices are lost or stolen. It called on parents and schools to educate students about online risks and promote safer digital practices.
According to the council, relatively simple daily changes — such as strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular permission checks — can significantly improve students’ online safety and secure their digital assets at the start of the academic year.