MUSCAT: The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), through its Department of Social Studies, organised a dialogue session on 'Electronic Games in the Life of the Child', under the auspices of Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, Minister of Social Development.
The session aimed to explore the reasons behind children's use of electronic gaming applications and to analyse their psychological, educational, social, religious, and behavioural impacts. It also sought to develop a comprehensive vision for mitigating the effects of these applications on children. The event featured three presentations:
'Religious Responsibility for Dealing with the Effects of Electronic Gaming Applications on Children' by Shaikh Ibrahim al Sawafi, Secretary of Fatwa at the Office of the Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman.
'The Psychological Reality of Children Using Electronic Gaming Applications' by Dr Hoda Anwar Khamis, a family and community medicine consultant specialising in mental health.
'The Roles of Educational Institutions in Addressing the Reality of Children's Use of Electronic Gaming Applications' by Nila bint Mohammed al Balushiyah, an educational consultant and certified human development trainer.
The session concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Noura bint Hamad al Subhiyah, Director of the Department of Social Studies at the Ministry of Social Development. The panel included contributions from Shaikh Ibrahim al Sawafi, Dr Khawla al Wahaibi (Family Consultant at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital), Dr Hoda Anwar Khamis, Nadia bint Rashid al Maktoumiyah, and Nila bint Mohammed al Balushiyah.
The session was attended by specialists from various sectors, including the Royal Oman Police, and the Ministries of : Social Development, Education, Health, Awqaf and Religious Affairs, Transport, Communications and Information Technology. It also included civil society representatives, private sector members, government school students, and parents. — ONA
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