One in 50 children at risk of digital identity theft, UAE warns ahead of school year

The UAE Government Cyber Security Council has warned that one in every 50 children faces digital identity theft exposure. As students prepare to return to school, the council is urging them to strengthen the security of their accounts, devices and personal data, particularly as digital platforms become increasingly routine in education.

Key recommendations include: not trusting every incoming message and verifying sender identity before clicking links to avoid phishing threats; using strong passwords for school and educational accounts; enabling two-step verification for added protection; avoiding unnecessary sharing of personal information; and reviewing privacy settings to limit data exposure on digital platforms.

The council also recommends conducting "digital hygiene" before the academic year begins, including updating devices, deleting unused applications, reviewing app permissions, downloading security software only from official sources, and activating screen locks on school devices as a first line of defence against theft or loss.