The Doha International Family Institute (Difi), in partnership with WISE and the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) – members of Qatar Foundation (QF) – organised an event on the impact of technological changes on families, on the sidelines of the recent 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.
Speakers at the event addressed the effect of technological changes on family relationships, including marital, parental and intergenerational, and the impact of the use of technology on the mental and physical health of both children and women.
The speakers also emphasised the role that digital technologies can play in the education and health sectors, especially after the fluctuations that occurred post coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
WISH chief executive Sultana Afdhal expressed her happiness at sharing the results of their research on *The impact of the increased use of digital technology by children on their health and well-being, saying: “We have to be more mindful of the impact of digital technologies on young minds and build policies that allow them to enjoy the benefits of access to technology to help them reach their full potential in a safe and healthy way.”
Difi executive director Dr Sharifa Noman al-Emadi noted the Difi's constant interest in collaborative work to provide evidence that contributes to the development and implementation of family-friendly policies and programmes in all health, social, economic and cultural aspects.
Laila Baker, the regional director of UNFPA-Arab States, stressed the opportunities that technology provides to girls and women, highlighting the partnership that brings together the UNFPA (the United Nations Population Fund) and Difi in the least developed countries to support adolescent girls and women in using technologies in a way that improves their health, wellbeing, and community contribution.
Dr Raian Ali, professor of information and computing technology at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Science and Engineering, stated: “Technology has the potential to both enhance and hinder family wellbeing and adolescent education, and to ensure effective digital parenting, it is crucial to prioritise a family-centred approach rather than solely focusing on children.”
Prof Shekhar Saxena, professor of the practice of global mental health at Global Health and Population of the Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, concluded the discussion by saying: “Least developed countries have an unprecedented opportunity to utilise the technological advancements and innovations to improve the physical and mental health of children in keeping with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
Dr Sharifa Noman al-Emadi
