How can families practise “digital drills” the same way they practise fire or safety drills? 

Parenting Perspective 

Just as fire drills prepare a family to act calmly and correctly in an emergency, digital drills build the same instinct for online risks. The goal is to create a clear, practised plan for scenarios like receiving a scam message, encountering inappropriate content, or feeling pressured by a stranger online. 

Establish a Clear Action Plan 

First, create a simple, step-by-step plan that your child can easily remember. For most situations, a good starting point is: 

• Stop: Do not reply or click on anything. 

• Step Away: Put the device down or close the screen. 

• Tell: Immediately find a trusted adult and explain what happened. 

• Block/Report: With your help, block the contact and report the content. 

Make Practice Regular and Engaging 

Schedule short, low-pressure practice sessions, perhaps once a month. Keep them light-hearted and engaging by using role-play. A parent can pretend to be a stranger sending a suspicious friend request, while the child practises the agreed-upon action plan. This makes the learning process feel like a game rather than a lecture. 

Adapt Scenarios for Different Ages 

Tailor the drills to your child’s age and online activities. For a younger child, the drill might be as simple as learning to immediately close the tablet and find a parent. For a teenager, you can practise more complex scenarios, such as how to handle online gossip, identify a phishing email, or adjust privacy settings after a negative interaction. 

By practising these responses regularly, children build the muscle memory to act safely and instinctively, turning a moment of potential panic into a calm and controlled reaction. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches the value of being prepared, learning from experience, and taking proactive steps to protect oneself from harm. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hashar (59), Verse 18: 

‘ All those of you who are believers, seek piety from Allah (Almighty); and let every person anticipate (the consequences of) what they have sent forth (in the Hereafter) for the next day…’ 

This verse encourages foresight and preparation for the future. In a modern context, “preparing for tomorrow” includes equipping our children with the skills to navigate the unforeseen challenges of the digital world. Digital drills are a practical application of this principle, helping a child prepare for risks before they materialise. 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught the importance of learning from danger to avoid repeat harm. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, 6133, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The believer is not stung twice from the same hole.‘ 

This powerful hadith underscores the wisdom of being vigilant. By practising how to respond to digital threats, families are essentially learning the layout of the “holes” online. This preparation helps ensure that if a child encounters a specific type of scam or threat, they will recognise it and not be harmed by the same trick twice.