New framework to ensure Saudi children’s online safety

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The National Framework for Children’s Online Safety was inaugurated at the sixth Saudi Family Forum in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
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The National Framework for Children’s Online Safety was inaugurated at the sixth Saudi Family Forum in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
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Updated 12 November 2023
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New framework to ensure Saudi children’s online safety

  • Saudi minister highlights crucial role of family in guiding youth amid digital challenges

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi inaugurated the National Framework for Children’s Online Safety at the sixth Saudi Family Forum in Riyadh on Sunday.

The two-day forum, held under the title “The Saudi Family in Light of Contemporary Changes,” was attended by Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel and Media Minister Salman Al-Dossary.

The framework is aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international treaty safeguarding individuals under the age of 18.

Al-Rajhi highlighted the importance of the family in shaping peoples’ behavior, preserving their religious, national and cultural values, and guiding their aspirations for the future.

He also highlighted the Saudi leadership’s commitment to the role of family in society and its contribution to strengthening family cohesion through the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Al-Rajhi also commended the integrated efforts to implement the framework on the internet prepared by the Family Affairs Council in collaboration with experts from UNICEF. He said that the framework presents a five-year national plan for children’s safety, aligning with international standards.

The framework comprises 10 initiatives addressing critical areas, including regulations, data protection and online support procedures for children.

Secretary-General of the Saudi Family Council Maimoonah Al-Khalil said that the forum aims to adopt recommendations that protect the family, strengthen social cohesion and enhance quality of life.

This year, the forum will explore the impact of contemporary changes on families and include presentations on the most prominent topics related to various local and international changes, as well as the accelerating digital revolution.

Al-Khalil said that the launch of the framework is the culmination of efforts by various government agencies, the private sector and stakeholders concerned with enhancing the protection of children in the digital space.

The Saudi Family Forum will address key issues related to the digital revolution and empower Saudi families by offering solutions from experts and officials in various family-related sectors.

UNICEF will also contribute with two dialogue sessions: “Protecting Children in the Cyber World” by Amanda Third, a professor at Western Sydney University, and “The Digital World and Children” presented by UNICEF’s Gulf area representative, Al-Tayeb Adam.


Diriyah in 2025 — A year of exceptional achievement

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Diriyah in 2025 — A year of exceptional achievement

  • Jerry Inzerillo: In 2025, the project reached a pivotal stage, transitioning from laying foundations to large-scale delivery, marking a clear shift from vision to execution
  • Partnerships with The Helicopter Co. and Kakao Mobility advanced smart aerial and ground transportation solutions

JEDDAH: Under the theme “Vision to Reality,” Diriyah has moved beyond aspiration in 2025, translating long-held plans into a tangible, lived experience, according to Jerry Inzerillo, group chief executive officer of Diriyah Co.

Throughout the year, Diriyah Company, the Saudi Public Investment Fund entity developing the Diriyah giga-project, advanced from planning and preparation into delivery. Contracts and agreements exceeding SR24 billion ($6.4 billion) marked a pivotal transition from the establishment phase to early operations. 

Inzerillo told Arab News: “At Diriyah, progress is measured by what is delivered on the ground against the plans we set. In 2025, the project reached a pivotal stage, transitioning from laying foundations to large-scale delivery, marking a clear shift from vision to execution. 

“Together, these achievements reinforce Diriyah’s role as one of the Kingdom’s most important national transformation projects, with growing impact locally and internationally. We remain committed to advancing with responsibility and purpose, transforming ambition into reality and creating a destination that honors history while shaping the future.”

In 2025, Diriyah Co. signed eight major contracts, alongside 16 agreements, reinforcing delivery momentum across multiple development streams. International recognition also continued to grow, with Diriyah earning prestigious global awards and securing positions in influential international rankings, Inzerillo said.

Infrastructure development played a central role in shaping the visitor experience. New road networks were delivered to ensure smooth connectivity between historic districts and contemporary developments.

The company also inaugurated two high-capacity electricity transmission substations, securing the power required to support residents, visitors and a growing portfolio of residential, hospitality, educational and cultural assets. 

Collaboration with Majid Al-Futtaim Group introduced a portfolio of global brands, positioning Diriyah Square as a distinctive shopping and entertainment destination, Inzerillo said. At the same time, Diriyah’s partnerships with the Saudi Contractors Authority and the Saudi Tennis Federation embedded sports, events and professional initiatives into the fabric of urban life. 

Diriyah’s vision extended into the future of mobility and design, Inzerillo said. Partnerships with The Helicopter Co. and Kakao Mobility advanced smart aerial and ground transportation solutions, designed to make movement across the city faster, more efficient and integrated.

Diriyah Company, in collaboration with Pantone, unveiled “Diriyah Tan,” a custom color inspired by the city’s historic mud architecture. More than a visual signature, the color captures Diriyah’s identity, bridging its origins with its contemporary expression.

Diriyah’s excellence was also recognized at the highest international level, Inzerillo said. In 2025, TIME magazine named Diriyah Company among the World’s 100 Most Influential Companies, acknowledging the project’s cultural, economic and urban impact.