UAE's TRA warns that youth are an easy target for radicalism through gaming

Source: TRA, UAE. Picture of a mobile game.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has warned the public that some criminal groups propagating radical ideologies which may exploit the chat features in today’s electronic games--spreading violent ideas and encouraging rebellious actions among youth and adolescents. The TRA noted that the unprecedented progress in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector makes it imperative for governments to find appropriate ways to address the potential risks associated with its growth.

The TRA emphasised that criminal groups with destabilising agendas could exploit electronic games in general and use war games to propagate the use of weapons. The TRA said the isolation of teenagers from the community through spending time playing electronic games in their rooms could weaken their social connections and make them an easy target for such groups. Third parties could manipulate the emotions of young people and influence their minds through messages and conversations, leading them down the wrong path.

Engineer Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director for Policy and Programs Department at the TRA, said: “The groups that adopt such vicious thinking are trying to recruit young people and adolescents through some electronic games, starting with unusual conversations with them in such a way that it reveals their weaknesses so they can be easily exploited and instructed to commit unlawful acts.”

Al Zarooni underscored the importance of warning teenagers and young people that some figures in electronic games are fraudulent. He called on young people to be aware of negative ideas and opinions and to talk with their relatives when they are exposed to such groups and consult the concerned authorities.

TRA advised parents to put gaming tools in the living room to ensure that these recruiters will not have the opportunity to be alone with the children and young adults. Parents should also allow them to log in only to electronic accounts that are known to them and examine the content of those accounts periodically to make sure that their children are not exposed to any attempt that would change their opinions and belief systems or would encourage them to form new friendships with unfamiliar people, as these are the tactics often used in recruiting them, he added.

The TRA also urged parents to protect their children and spend more time with the children and educate them not to establish relations with strangers through chat channels in electronic games. also called on them to instill spiritual faith in children and strengthen their societal and ethical values by communicating with them more frequently.