In a recent incident in Dubai, a mother was shocked to find a stack of massage cards in her nine-year-old son’s school bag. These cards, featuring mostly unlicensed and illegal massage services, often contain obscene photos of women and actresses. The mother, who has been a resident of Dubai for 12 years, was horrified to discover such explicit material in her son’s possession. The young boy seemed distressed and unable to explain why he had collected the cards, indicating that he was unaware of their inappropriate nature.
The proliferation of such obscene cards in Dubai has been a growing concern, with millions being confiscated over the years. Despite efforts by authorities to crack down on the distribution of these cards, they are still found scattered in various neighborhoods in the city. The incident involving the young boy highlights the need to protect children from being exposed to inappropriate images that objectify women. Parents are now discussing ways to educate their children about the dangers of picking up unknown objects and how to handle such situations.
Psychologists have advised parents to be vigilant for any behavioral changes in their children, as exposure to inappropriate content can have lasting effects. Children should be educated using age-appropriate language about sexuality, and parents should encourage them to report any encounters with explicit material. Dr. Shaju George, a psychiatrist at International Modern Hospital Dubai, emphasized the importance of parents reporting the spread of explicit content materials in public spaces to official authorities.
There are typically two responses in children when exposed to anything unusual or inappropriate: distress with disturbed feelings or curiosity about the situation. Such experiences can elicit feelings of disgust towards sexuality or spark curiosity that may lead to unhealthy practices. Dr. George pointed out that children may exhibit signs such as sadness, reclusiveness, increased device usage at odd hours, sleep disturbances, and academic problems. Addressing the issue is crucial, as childhood experiences can have long-lasting effects on a child’s perception of the world, personal life, relationships, and sexual behavior.
Local authorities in Dubai have been taking stringent action against the distribution of massage cards, imposing heavy fines on offenders. In November 2022, six million massage cards were seized, and several gangs were busted in Dubai and Sharjah. In August 2022, Dubai Police confiscated 5.9 million business cards advertising illegal massage services. A total of 870 people were arrested for offering illegal services in 2021 and the first three months of 2022, with charges ranging from violating public morals to printing and distributing the cards. It is crucial for parents and authorities to work together to protect children from exposure to explicit content and take necessary measures to prevent its spread in public spaces.
