Kuwait city: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, emphasized the necessity of focusing on family support policies to ensure social security and sustainable development. This statement was made during her speech at the opening of the Fifth Gulf Forum on Family Policies, hosted by Kuwait.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the two-day forum, themed "Gulf Family: Between Digital Challenges and Opportunities for Human Investment," is organized by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Social Affairs with participation from GCC entities. Dr. Al-Huwailah noted that the forum complements joint Gulf efforts to develop social policies, highlighting the family's vital role as the nucleus of Gulf society.
Dr. Al-Huwailah addressed challenges such as the changing landscape of family dialogue and "digital silence" between generations due to excessive smart device and social media use. She discussed issues related to cybersecurity and the impact of digital content on Gulf family values and customs. She urged transforming these challenges into opportunities to invest in building skills across all ages and emphasized technology's role as a tool for family empowerment.
Mohammad Al-Obaidli, Director General of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs of the GCC countries, highlighted to KUNA the importance of strengthening policies to support Gulf families amid rapid digital transformations. He pointed out the challenges posed by children's and adolescents' intensive technology use on family relationships and the need to balance life and work demands.
Dr. Sharifa Al-Emadi, Executive Director of the Doha International Family Institute, stated in a similar statement to KUNA that digital challenges are a global phenomenon. She noted that studies by the Institute show that lack of parental supervision and quality time contribute to increased device and social media use among children. Dr. Al-Emadi emphasized the importance of shared family activities and called for mandatory parenting programs. She explained that children are the true investment of family and society, necessitating structured educational and training programs for parents in cooperation with relevant institutions.