UAE Guide for Emirati Children’s Day 2026 Focuses on Digital Knowledge

A new guide outlining the theme and priorities for Emirati Children’s Day 2026 has been released by the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, placing digital literacy and online safety at the centre of children’s development.
Observed annually on March 15th, Emirati Children’s Day is held under the directives of Fatima bint Mubarak. The 2026 theme, “The Right to Digital Knowledge,” reflects a broader focus on helping children understand and safely navigate digital technologies.
The guide highlights a shift from simply providing access to technology towards equipping children with the skills to evaluate information, verify sources, protect their privacy and identity, and engage responsibly online. It notes that children in the UAE are growing up in an environment shaped by artificial intelligence, interactive applications, online learning platforms and digital public services.
Artificial intelligence is also set to be introduced across government school curricula from kindergarten to Grade 12 starting in the 2025 to 2026 academic year. At the same time, the guide warns of risks associated with increased digital engagement, including exposure to inappropriate content, misinformation, cyberbullying, exploitation and privacy breaches. Data cited in the guide indicates that around 72% of children aged 8 to 12 in the UAE use smartphones daily.
The document outlines national objectives for 2026 aimed at strengthening children’s digital understanding, improving critical thinking and safeguarding digital identity. It also calls for stronger coordination between families, schools and government institutions to support children’s safe participation in digital environments.
The framework aligns with several UAE laws and regulations related to child protection and online safety, including Wadeema’s Law, the Child Digital Safety Law, the Personal Data Protection Law and the Law on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes.