Abu dhabi: Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, emphasized the importance of protecting children and young people in the digital space as a priority for UAE leadership. He stated that a brighter future begins with providing a safe and trusted digital environment that fosters learning, creativity, and innovation while safeguarding future generations from the risks posed by rapid technological advancements.
According to Emirates News Agency, during a meeting in London with Jade Nester, TikTok's Director of Data Public Policy for Europe, Al Hamed underscored the UAE's ongoing efforts to establish a comprehensive framework of legislation, policies, and strategic partnerships. These efforts aim to balance technological openness with the preservation of societal values, ensuring strong user protection, especially for youth. The meeting is part of efforts to build partnerships that contribute to developing innovative solutions capable of adapting to rapid changes in the digital environment and supporting a safer and more trusted ecosystem for users.
Discussions between the two sides focused on enhancing online safety for children and young people, strengthening cooperation on digital policy and platform governance, and promoting the responsible use of advanced technologies. They also reviewed strategies to develop age-appropriate online experiences, strengthen regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with user protection, promote responsible content moderation, and explore the role of artificial intelligence in advancing the media ecosystem while ensuring its ethical and responsible use.
Al Hamed highlighted the shared responsibility of both regulators and global platforms in establishing a balanced model that fosters innovation while reinforcing public trust. He emphasized that building a future-ready media ecosystem requires strategic partnerships based on knowledge exchange, policy development, and the adoption of international best practices in digital governance.
Through collaboration with TikTok, the National Media Authority aims to translate this shared vision into practical initiatives. Al Hamed expressed commitment to empowering content creators with digital responsibility tools, enabling them to produce positive, purposeful content that enriches society. These meetings are part of the Authority's efforts to expand partnerships with leading global companies, support a safer and more trusted digital media ecosystem, keep pace with rapid changes in the global media landscape, and promote the exchange of expertise on regulatory and technological best practices.