Sharjah Police has launched an innovative awareness initiative targeting children through an interactive electronic game that simulates messages received via social media platforms, giving children the opportunity to experience such scenarios in a safe environment before encountering them in real life.
The game's concept centres on transforming the child from a passive recipient of messages into a decision-maker. Players face scenarios that simulate electronic solicitation attempts and messages from unknown senders, choosing how to respond and then discovering for themselves the consequences of each choice — whether correct or incorrect — thereby reinforcing conscious thinking and the ability to make sound decisions.
Major Salem Al Mazrouei, Deputy Director of the Prevention and Follow-up Department at Sharjah Police, confirmed that the game was designed in line with children's abilities and interests, to provide an interactive educational experience that makes the child a partner in learning rather than a mere recipient of information.
He explained that the current content focuses on a single theme: how to handle messages received via social media platforms. This is achieved by familiarising children with the correct response when receiving suspicious or misleading messages, demonstrating the consequences that may result from unsound decisions, and ultimately embedding safe behaviour in the digital environment.
He noted that the initiative's goal is to build digital awareness in children from an early age and strengthen their ability to think before interacting with any unknown message, link, or content, thereby helping protect them from electronic solicitation and grooming tactics.
He added that the game targets children aged 4 to 10 and is currently available online, with plans to make it accessible in the future through the Sharjah Police platform to broaden its reach and promote a culture of digital security among the young. Upon successfully completing all stages, the child receives a digital certificate bearing their name, encouraging them to continue their safe-learning journey.