Regulatory Policies and Digital Security: A Review of the Regulatory Framework in the State of Qatar and Its Role in Protecting Children in Cyberspace

Abstract

Technology has become an essential part of human life, and almost no one can prevent his family and children from using it. All traditional children's games, for example, have evolved thanks to the technological boom, and many of them use smart devices that children use for long hours. Hence, technology from that angle can be considered a double-edged sword. In the sense that it has positive effects on the family and the child, and it also has many negative effects on the various health, social and educational levels. In that context, regulatory policies play a crucial role in ensuring digital security, especially in the protection of children in cyberspace. The State of Qatar has made significant steps in regulating digital technologies to guarantee the safety of all citizens, including children. The regulatory framework in Qatar employs a multifaceted strategy that encompasses a number of stakeholders, including governmental organisations, internet service providers, academic institutions, and parents. The Law No. 13 of 2016 on the Protection of Personal Data Privacy is the main legal framework that controls cyber security in Qatar. In order to improve digital security, this law imposes stringent guidelines for the gathering, handling, and archiving of personal data. The Cybercrime Prevention Law, which makes any acts that target computer systems or networks illegal, is another important piece of legislation. This law also expressly forbids the ownership or dissemination of child pornography, which is important for safeguarding children online. The Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), which oversees the execution of digital security rules, are two more regulatory agencies that Qatar's government has formed. The aim of this paper is to review the regulatory framework that the State of Qatar has put in place to safeguard children in cyberspace. In dealing with this topic, the paper argues that with the tremendous technological development that we are witnessing in our contemporary world, it has become necessary to develop appropriate regulatory frameworks by governments and relevant stakeholders in society in order to face the negative effects that may result from the expanded use of smart devices and their multiple applications. The importance of this issue is increasing for some vulnerable groups in society, such as children, who need protection while they are in cyberspace from various forms of exploitation. From this perspective, the paper emphasises the necessity of concerted governmental and non-governmental efforts in the State of Qatar to provide the regulatory framework that provides protection for children while using modern and smart technological applications and while they are in virtual worlds.