Google.org announced a US$2.4 million grant to INJAZ Al-Arab for a four-year expansion of Arabic digital-safety lessons across nine Middle East and North Africa countries, a program Google says aims to reach more than 2.3 million young people.
Google says the curriculum will be delivered in classrooms over the next four years. Its announcement identifies the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, then refers to other locations without naming the remaining four. The 2.3 million figure is a target, not a reported enrollment or result.
The Arabic-language Abtal Al Internet curriculum covers online citizenship, including how to recognize misinformation, spot scams, prevent cyberbullying and protect private information. Google first announced an Arabic version of the program in 2018.
Google frames the work as part of a shared responsibility between parents and technology companies to help young people build safer online habits. Sally Monem, Google’s Head of Brand & Reputation for MENA, said the company wants young people to explore online with “confidence, healthy habits, and real safeguards.”
The company also points to settings on its products. Google says YouTube uploads for minors are private by default, autoplay is disabled and personalized ad tracking is turned off. Parents can set YouTube Shorts viewing limits as low as zero minutes per day, the company said.
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) said it launched a separate family-safety campaign in June 2024 with TikTok and the UAE Media Council. That campaign covered privacy, online gaming, cyberbullying, screen time and parental controls.
Google’s free Abtal Al Internet Pop-Up Playground was developed with TDRA and the National Media Authority (NMA). It will offer interactive activities and demonstrations of parental controls and YouTube Kids. The event is scheduled for Oct. 24-25 at Warehouse 46 in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue.
