By Rob Beswick, Managing Director, Virgin Mobile UAE

As a parent, I know how delicate it is to strike a balance between letting our children explore the digital world and guiding them through it. The internet has become their social space, classroom, and playground all in one, a place where creativity and lateral thinking thrives but, at times, kindness falters.

Our children may be fluent in technology, way more fluent than us, but they still rely on us to help them make sense of what is right and wrong online. The conversations we have at home about responsibility, empathy, and online awareness are what truly shape how they show up and manage in this digital world.

Awareness Starts With Us

As parents, it’s difficult to guide our children through a world we sometimes do not understand ourselves. The digital landscape changes every day with new platforms, new language, and new behaviours. While our kids might be the experts at using technology, they still need us to help them navigate it responsibly.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed or left behind, but being digitally aware does not necessarily mean becoming an expert or purchasing expensive services to help manage your child’s time online. It can mean being curious, asking questions, and having open, judgement-free conversations about the digital spaces our children spend time in. The more we understand what is happening online, and talk to our children about it, the better we can help them manage it with confidence and care.

The best parental control is not an app, technical features of any device or platform, although these of course help. It is curiosity, awareness, education, and empathy.  Our learning from awareness sessions that we have recently conducted in schools shows that the controls exist, but parents are not necessarily digital savvy enough to understand they exist, how they work, or how to use them effectively.

That belief has driven our efforts at Virgin Mobile UAE to host digital awareness sessions across schools for both parents and children. In these sessions, we have seen just how big the knowledge gap can be. Many parents were surprised to learn how many platforms their children use, and how unfamiliar those apps were to them.

When parents are out of the loop, it becomes nearly impossible to guide or protect their children effectively. That is why our sessions focus on two fronts: helping parents understand what is trending and how to stay involved, and secondly helping children see how their actions online, every comment, message, or post, can shape their digital reputation and relationships in real life.

Raising Upstanders, Not Bystanders

One of the most powerful lessons we can teach our children is to be upstanders rather than bystanders. That means speaking up when they see someone being bullied, excluded, or treated unfairly online. Staying silent can make harmful behaviour seem acceptable, but having the courage to call it out can change everything.

We remind children that their voice matters. Being kind, responsible, and supportive online does not just protect others, it helps build a digital world they can be proud of.

Think Before You Post

Every action online leaves a trace, a digital footprint that forms part of who we are. We encourage children to Stop. Think. Post. To ask themselves: Would I say this in person? Would I be proud of this tomorrow? That moment of reflection helps them build digital resilience and self-awareness, qualities that will serve them long after school.

And as parents, it is our role to model that same behaviour by showing empathy, restraint, and responsibility in our own online interactions.

Technology as an Enabler, not a Barrier

Technology, when used thoughtfully, can strengthen family connections. Virgin Mobile’s Family and Youth Plans were designed to help parents manage how their children use data, from setting usage limits to scheduling connection times. These tools encourage balance and mindful screen time, but they are only one piece of the puzzle.

The real foundation of safety is communication and awareness. Parents who understand the digital world and stay engaged in their child’s online life create a sense of trust that no app can replicate.

At Virgin Mobile UAE, we will continue to expand our awareness efforts across schools and communities, helping both parents and children feel more confident and informed online. 

A Shared National Vision

The UAE continues to lead the way in building a safer digital environment. Cyberbullying and online harassment are serious offences under federal law, reinforcing the message that respect should extend to every space, including virtual ones.

Our work aligns with this vision, supporting the UAE’s efforts through education and empowerment. By helping families understand the realities of the online world, we are building on the country’s mission to create a digital culture rooted in awareness, safety, and respect.

Our children’s digital lives are unfolding in real time, and while we cannot control every post or click, we can give them something far more powerful, the knowledge, empathy, and confidence to use technology wisely.

Because raising responsible digital citizens does not start on a screen. It starts at home.

Rob Beswick is the Managing Director of Virgin Mobile UAE, a father of four, and a passionate advocate for digital wellbeing and responsible connectivity.