In The Digital Age: Parents In Dubai Are Playing This New Game To Get Closer To Kids

Imagine a world where parents not only encourage their kids to play video games but also enjoy playing it together. We are witnessing a scenario where video games are in fact bridging the age gap between two generations. Technology has made it possible. Games are no more a taboo while bringing up kids. Now, games are considered as reliable assistance in order to bring parents and kids closer.

Dubai Police recently introduced a new mobile game called ¡®My Child My Friend¡¯ aimed at creating positive and meaningful conversations between parents and children, even when they are engaged with their phones. The app was prominently featured at the Dubai Esports and Games Festival last week, recognising the prevalence of smartphones and tablets in the lives of both parents and children and to strengthen this relationship through tech.

Asheem PK

The city is making all possible efforts to capitalise on impressive growth of the gaming industry and if projections are to be believed the gaming industry could soon bring massive investments to the already established tech hub of the Middle East. According to a research recently published by a Gujarat based market research firm, Bonafide Research, The gaming industry in Dubai is experiencing significant growth. It is a part of the larger UAE market, which is likely to grow up to $17.28 million by 2028.

The game, available for iOS and Android devices, was initially developed as a physical board game. It was later transformed into a comprehensive mobile game with the assistance of Dubai Police¡¯s Artificial Intelligence (AI) team. To date, Dubai Police have developed nearly 80 games of this nature, with ¡®My Child My Friend¡¯ being their latest offering.

¡®My Child My Friend¡¯ is available in two modes: Split Screen and Online. It bears resemblance to the popular game of Ludo and features a game board with 1 to 30 boxes. Players need to roll the dice and move their character along the designated path based on the number shown on the dice.

The game is both entertaining and educational, fostering communication and friendship between parents and their children. It also promotes the development of values, ethics, and ways of dealing with relationships. Throughout the game, players are presented with various messages on the screen, encouraging them to reflect on aspects such as trust between themselves and their parents, as well as how they perceive each other as friends. When a player emerges victorious, the game celebrates their achievement with a winner¡¯s hug.

Asheem PK

Captain Abdulrahman bin Fahad, virtual applications supervisor at Dubai Police, said, ¡°We created this game to address the disconnect between children and their parents caused by their preoccupation with phones, tablets, and PCs. We wanted to evoke a nostalgic feeling for parents to engage in the game.¡±

He further added, ¡°We drew inspiration from the Monopoly game to create a similar experience for parents, while also ensuring it appeals to children. The main idea behind the game is to foster a connection between parents and kids.¡±

Diana Ghadi from the General Department of Community Happiness at Dubai Police said, ¡°The game initially existed as a physical board game, which was later transformed into a virtual version in collaboration with the artificial intelligence department.¡±

She mentioned that the decision to create a virtual version was driven by the understanding that many children nowadays are more inclined towards digital devices like iPads. ¡°We wanted to approach them in a way that aligns with their media consumption habits.¡±

¡°Sending emails or expecting them to watch the news wouldn¡¯t have the same impact. Therefore, we decided to create an online game that captures their attention and engages them effectively,¡± she added.

Ghadi emphasised that the game's design and characters were meticulously crafted to appeal to children. ¡°We aimed for visually attractive and appealing elements to stimulate their senses,¡± she stated. ¡°Based on the feedback we have received, the game¡¯s design has been well-received by children, particularly girls who seem to enjoy it a lot.¡±

Credit: Asheem PK

¡°We developed ¡®My Child My Friend¡¯ as a way to give back to the community and show our care for children. By providing them with a game that encourages open communication and interaction, we hope to establish a lasting friendship between the community and Dubai Police,¡± she added.

During the Dubai Esports and Games Festival, fifth-grade students Maher Makarem and Amira Shihab were engrossed in playing ¡®My Child My Friend¡¯ at the Dubai Police pavilion. Maher expressed his enthusiasm, saying, ¡°We absolutely love this game! It's unlike any other game we've played before. It's really interesting and keeps us busy.¡±

Amira added, ¡°The questions in the game are so much fun! It¡¯s like a friendship test between us and our parents. I can¡¯t wait to be back home and download the game and play with my mamma.¡±

Both of them are currently enrolled into Dubai¡¯s GEMS FirstPoint School and said that the game will help them bond with their parents. Maher said, ¡°I like this game because it will make me talk to my parents more. It's cool to feel closer to them.¡± Amira agreed and added, ¡°This game will make us feel more connected to our parents. It will be amazing to see them playing and having fun with us.¡±

Khadeeja P, a mother of three, expressed her enthusiasm for the ¡®My Child My Friend¡¯ app, noting, ¡°This app is a new experience for me as a parent. It allows me to connect with my daughter in a meaningful way, even in this digital age. We can have important conversations while still using our phones, turning screen time into quality time. I¡¯m grateful to Dubai Police for creating such a valuable tool for parents and children.¡±