Youth in Sharjah have raised concerns over the spread of terrorist ideas and its influence on youngsters.

The issue was discussed during the first session of the sixth round of the Sharjah Youth (shoora) Consultative Council (SYCC) held on Monday on the premises of the Sharjah Consultative Council.

In his address at the opening session Abdullah Hussain Al Ali Chairman of Higher Committee of the SYCC thanked the leadership for providing a democratic climate which allows them to practice parliamentary-style experiences and address youth-related issues.

SYCC is a free forum for Sharjah youth to express their views and discuss issues. It consists of school students aged between 14 and 17 from various schools in Sharjah; the Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah; the Sharjah Youth Centre and students from Sharjah City of Humanitarian Services (SCHS).

Terrorist thoughts social media

SYCC representatives agreed that due to the convenience affordability and broad reach of social media platforms terrorist groups have increasingly spread their destructive thoughts and messages among youth.

Role of Sharjah Youth Council

The SYCC is a platform for the youth to make their voice heard and address key issues .The SYCC provides young people with an optimal opportunity to express their ideas and discuss their issues. This parliamentary experiment helps prepare them for a promising future where they will be able to build the emirate of Sharjah and the country in general" said Aisha Khalid Al Qasimi Deputy Chairperson Higher Committee for the SYCC

They also argued that the media could play a significant role in spreading awareness to prevent youth from becoming part of terrorist organisations.

Answering concerns Juma Obaid Al Leem director media office of National Media in Dubai said the government in coordination with the media is making great efforts to thwart the use of social media by terrorist organisations by spreading awareness. But the main role has to be played by parents and guardians who are supposed to watch their children's activities and know their friends and contacts so as to prevent them from falling victims to these destructive ideologies.

The members also discussed the misuse of the internet by young people and the spread of social media blackmailing which targets both young females and males. They said a number of college students have fallen victims to cyber blackmailing crimes. Though some of them have been reported most of the time such crimes go unreported keeping in mind the reputation of families.

Juma Al Leem said: "These kind of issues require awareness which has to be created in collaboration with all departments concerned such as police educational institutions and media as well as families. This will help protect youth from falling victim to blackmailing. Cases must be reported to the police to arrest blackmailers in order to reduce the number of such crimes and ensure safety.

Reducing school hours

Youth and student representatives also demanded that the Ministry of Education (MoE) reduce school hours arguing that students get back home only by 3.30pm giving them absolutely no time to have rest practice a hobby or do homework and study. They demanded a reduction in classes to enable students to relax.

Ali Mehaid Al Suwaidi Undersecretary of the MoE and Director of Private Education Department said school hours include the time students need to spent time in laboratories for practical education.

"We have classes such as innovation which has been recently created by MoE; we couldn't accommodate them during class time.

Special needs education

Representatives of youth and special needs students demanded the improving of facilities for those with various disabilities and providing sufficient training for teachers to learn how to deal with them.

Al Suwaidi said the MoE is making a great effort to integrate students with special needs in schools and provide special teachers for them. The MoE has also developed education curricula in Braille and is working on launching electronic curriculums. With regards to health the long waiting times at emergency rooms at government hospitals was brought up for discussion. Mohammed Al Zarouni Director of Sharjah Health Zone said the emergency room is for emergency cases only. But according to statistics it has been found that more than 60 per cent of patients who approached emergency rooms are non-emergency cases that can wait.

Ideal platform

Speaking to Khaleej Times Al Ali said participation in the council will contribute to developing the character of young people and providing them with academic and practical skills in terms of participating in decision making.