+ A
A -
Tribune News Network
Vodafone Qatar recently held the second edition of its Tech Night series. The series aims to introduce new devices and their features to customers.
Over 30 parents with their children gathered at Vodafone's store in Villaggio to learn more about the new Monqi child's smartphone designed for busy and involved parents. The device allows them to set their 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 of AmanTech, Vodafone's digital parenting programme. The parents were later engaged 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.
Nearly half of Qatari children aged 8-15 own a smartphone, and 76 percent of children aged 9-16 have a social network profile. The average Qatari 9-16 year-olds spend over 3 hours per day on the Net. As the digital world becomes ever more portable, it is becoming harder for parents to know what their children are up to online.
"It is great that there are devices now such as the new Monqi smartphone designed to address modern children's technological needs while at the same time addressing the need for parents to be aware and involved in their child's safe use of technology," said Vodafone Qatar CSR Head Dana Haidan."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."
In 2016, AmanTech will reach out to parents and children aged between the ages 5 and 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. More information can be found at www.vodafone.qa/AmanTech.
