Parents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are strongly urged to keep up with evolving online slang and trends to better recognize potential threats to their children. Even an unfamiliar word in a chat, an unusual emoji, or a joke on social media might seem harmless to parents, but it can actually carry a hidden meaning.
As children develop their own digital language, the UAE Child Protection Organization calls on families to keep pace with the times to identify possible risks in a timely manner. Among the constantly changing lexicon used by younger users are expressions such as SYBAU, gyatt, and skibidi.
Although many of these expressions are simply playful internet slang, some of them may contain sexual innuendos, bullying messages, or discriminatory undertones, depending on the context of their use.
This issue is particularly relevant for the UAE, where digital devices are an integral part of children's lives. According to data provided by UAE authorities in January 2026, 97 percent of children aged seven and older regularly use digital devices, and one in three children has encountered contact from strangers online.
As part of broader efforts to create a safer online environment for youth, the UAE has introduced the Child Digital Safety Law and increased supervision over more than 4,000 digital platforms. Nevertheless, authorities emphasize that parental awareness remains a critical element in ensuring the safety of young users.
The Child Protection Organization has called on parents and guardians to familiarize themselves with new slang terms, emojis, abbreviations, and trends on social media, and to understand how their meaning can change across different platforms and conversations. Furthermore, they have recommended that families study the digital platforms their children use, the content they consume, and the people they interact with.
Parents should regularly check the age ratings of electronic games to ensure they are appropriate for their children's age and developmental stage. If parents find it difficult to keep up with rapidly changing online vocabulary, the first step may be to ask the child about the meaning of an unfamiliar expression instead of immediately making negative assumptions.
A single emoji or slang term is not in itself a guaranteed sign of danger; its meaning can depend on the conversation, the individuals involved, and the way it is used. However, unfamiliar expressions give parents an opportunity to check whether the interaction is related to bullying, manipulation, secrecy, or inappropriate requests.
Regular open discussions about digital experiences also help children feel comfortable approaching adults when something concerns them. Parents are advised not to view digital safety as a one-time discussion, but to integrate it into the family's ongoing life.
Dr. Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, CEO of the Child Protection Organization, stated that parents need to understand their children's digital experiences to recognize potential risks. He noted: 'We cannot protect children from risks we do not know, and we cannot recognize them if we do not understand their digital world. Parents must be prepared to learn the language their children speak, even if it is unfamiliar to them. Protection begins with understanding, not just monitoring.'
The main message is that protecting children online goes beyond simply controlling devices or limiting screen time. Parents also need to understand the digital environments in which their children communicate, interact, and consume content. Keeping up with online trends, asking questions without judgment, and maintaining open communication helps families distinguish between harmless internet humor and interactions that require close attention. As digital culture evolves, the organization's message to parents remains clear: understanding how children communicate online is an integral part of their safe navigation in this space.