The Ministry of Social Affairs is coordinating with the Ministry of Interior on a national program for family protection that features security and legislative initiatives to close gaps in digital exploitation, according to a statement from Minister Dr Amthal Al-Huwaila. This includes a national classification system for electronic games and collaboration with the National Cyber Security Center and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. Al-Huwaila emphasized the need for urgent legal restrictions preventing children under 15 from independent access to digital platforms without supervision, as part of broader regional trends in regulating social media use for minors.
Electronic blackmail reports involving children average three per day in Kuwait, a development that has prompted heightened focus on psychological and social support services, the Ministry of Health reported through its child protection mechanisms. The dedicated hotline 147 receives such alerts and directs cases to the Child Protection Center for medical, psychological and social evaluation. Center officials have noted that these incidents often involve emotional abuse or exploitation that can escalate without early intervention from trusted adults.
Justice Minister Nasser Al-Sumait announced that juvenile crimes declined 48 percent in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, dropping from 1,523 to 795 cases. Al-Sumait attributed the reduction to legislative reforms that strengthened deterrence and prevention, including updated laws on traffic violations, narcotics and bladed weapons. The minister highlighted ongoing coordination among the interior ministry, social affairs ministry, Supreme Council for Family Affairs and health ministry in prevention, rehabilitation and protection from violence and abuse.
The Public Authority for Minors Affairs, under whose patronage a recent seminar titled “I’m Stronger” took place, has promoted open communication between parents and children on substance abuse and online dangers, First Lieutenant Mubarak Al-Foudari of the Juvenile Protection Department stated during the event. Al-Foudari explained that the department’s Social Research and Awareness Section manages cases with full confidentiality, supported by trained female specialists when needed. Families are encouraged to seek assistance directly rather than conceal issues, with voluntary reports kept outside the state’s general database.
A national family protection program also seeks to update school curricula across all levels to include content on family cohesion, bullying prevention and legal awareness of common juvenile offenses such as traffic violations, drug use and cybercrimes, according to directives from the Ministry of Education. Educational specialists and psychologists will receive expanded authority for early detection of behavioral issues and implementation of individual and group counseling sessions. The program further establishes early referral mechanisms between schools and relevant authorities for cases of neglect or violence.
The Juvenile Protection Department operates as a specialized police unit focused on preventing and combating juvenile offenses, conducting investigations, gathering evidence and executing related court decisions while safeguarding social care institutions, the Ministry of Interior said in a description of its mandate. A hotline provides direct channels for reports on at-risk youth. These structures form part of wider governmental reforms that have included the Juveniles Act, which defines juveniles as those under 18 and emphasizes rehabilitation over punitive measures for those above age seven but below 15.
