Vodafone Qatar recently held the second edition of its ongoing Tech Night series. The series aims at introducing new devices and their features to customers.

Over 30 parents and 50 children gathered at Vodafone’s store in Villaggio to learn more about the new MONQI child’s smartphone for busy and involved parents which allows the setting of child’s phone usage limits, geo-location, application access management, monitoring of all activities and management and approval of contacts.

The Tech Night started with an introduction about AmanTECH, Vodafone’s digital parenting programme, then engaged parents in three interactive activities that had them discuss digital parenting concerns and experiences.

AmanTECH was launched in April 2014 and it is the company’s aid programme for online child safety. AmanTech, which stands for “safe tech world”, aims at promoting digital literacy amongst parents and improving children’s digital safety.

Dana Haidan, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Vodafone Qatar, said: “It is great that there are devices now such as the new MONQI smartphone designed to address modern children’s technological needs whilst at the same time addressing the need for parents to be aware and involved in their child’s safe use of technology.”

Haidan continued, “What parents are looking for, today, is a one-stop-shop which will tell them everything they need to know about the safety of their children such as choosing safety controls, mobile controls, limiting screen-time, choosing social networks, dealing with cyberbullying, self-harm, liaising with schools and the list goes on. With Vodafone’s AmanTech, parents now have reliable sources to do that.”

As the digital world becomes ever more portable, it is becoming harder for parents to know what their children are up to online. Nearly half of Qatari children aged 8-15 own a smartphone, and 76% of children aged 9-16 have a social network profile. The average Qatari 9-16 year-old spends over 3 hours per day on the net.

In 2016, AmanTech will reach out to parents and children aged between the ages of 5 to 17. The programme will adopt a three-pronged approach with a focus on awareness, education and technical support. This will entail ongoing school parental workshops throughout 2016, an online source for information and tips for parents [www.vodafone.qa/AmanTECH], online magazines, in addition to digital parenting guide available in stores and online.

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

QNE

Start a discussion