The intersection of family life and the digital environment will take centre stage at a high-level roundtable discussion to be held on the sidelines of the World Public Assembly in September, 2025 in Russia.

Titled “The Digital Environment in the Family and the Family in the Digital Environment”, the event will explore the transformative role of technology in family life.

While digital tools offer unprecedented access to knowledge and educational resources, they also present new challenges, including monitoring children’s online activities, curbing digital dependency, and preserving direct human interaction within the family.

The roundtable has drawn international participation, reflecting the global relevance of the issue. Distinguished speakers include:

• His Excellency Ali Mubarak Ali Binhalafa Alblushi, Member of the Supreme Advisory Council of the Emirate of Sharjah (UAE);
• Abdurahman Naqi, President of the Emirates Writers Union in Ras Al Khaimah and Media Consultant at the International Institute of Public Diplomacy (UAE);
• Her Excellency Boemo Sekgoma, Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (Botswana);
• Her Excellency Uwimana Consolee, Minister of Gender Policy and Family Development of the Republic of Rwanda;
• Her Royal Majesty Olori Ambassador, wife of His Imperial Majesty the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Deputy Organiser of the Hopesalive for Africa initiative (Nigeria);
• Yulia Gryaznova, Head of Strategy, Analytics and Research at ANO National Priorities (Russia);
• Vladimir Gudkov, Director of the Gagarin Russian-Tajik Secondary School (Tajikistan);
• Lyudmila Dorzhieva, Head of the Regional Branch of the “Eurasia Kids” Project and Professor at the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences (Russia);
• Galina Klimantova, President of the National Public Committee Russian Family and Professor of Political Science (Russia);
• Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Cosmonaut Pilot and Hero of the Russian Federation (Russia);
• Sergey Korchagin, Director of ANO Trajectory of Change (Russia);
• Saidmukhtar Saidkasimov, Advisor to the Director of the International Institute of Central Asia (Uzbekistan).

The session will be moderated by Diana Gurtskaya, People’s Artist of Russia and Chair of the Civic Chamber Commission on an Accessible Environment and Inclusive Practices.

Sharing her personal experience, she underscored the importance of parents engaging with their children’s digital interests.

“If we want to keep up with the times and not lose touch with our children, we cannot do without mastering digital technologies. For example, I didn’t know what Counter-Strike was, but when my son Kostya became interested in this game, I got involved so that I could be closer to him. If we fail to understand our children’s hobbies and only condemn them, they inevitably move away from us. Parental control becomes effective only when it is rooted in love and empathy.”

Alongside themes of intra-family communication and children’s online safety, the roundtable will feature expert presentations and policy recommendations on diverse issues.

These include developing personalised learning pathways, instilling moral values in virtual spaces, preventing psychological dependence on digital tools, and harnessing technology to build a cohesive family ecosystem that bridges generations.