Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The UAE has approved sweeping new regulations that will prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, making it the first Arab country to introduce a nationwide minimum age requirement for social media access. The resolution, approved by the UAE Cabinet led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, forms part of the country's broader efforts to strengthen child protection in the digital space amid growing global concerns over online safety, mental health and data privacy. Once ratified, the new rules will prevent anyone under 15 from creating, using or operating personal accounts on social media platforms in the UAE. Children below the age threshold will also be barred from accessing the full social functions of social media platforms, including posting content, commenting, sharing material, joining public groups, participating in open channels and engaging in large-scale interactive online spaces.

Social media companies given 12 months to comply

The Cabinet has given social media companies up to 12 months to align their operations with the new regulations. The rules apply to all social media platforms available in the UAE or directed at users in the country. This includes services that allow users to create personal profiles, interact socially, publish or share content, and platforms that use algorithm-based systems to recommend, rank or display content. According to the Cabinet, social media companies will be required to implement robust technical and administrative measures to enforce the age restrictions. One of the most significant changes is the requirement for strict age verification. The resolution explicitly states that self-declaration of age will no longer be accepted as a valid method of verification. Instead, companies must adopt highly accurate age-verification systems, including digital identity checks and artificial intelligence-supported technologies, while maintaining strong privacy protections. The government said age-verification procedures must minimise data collection, ensure secure processing of personal information and avoid retaining data longer than necessary. These systems will also be subject to periodic reviews and audits.

Enhanced protections for teens aged 15 and 16

While children under 15 will be prohibited from using social media, teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be allowed access under enhanced safety measures. Platforms will be required to apply additional protections to accounts belonging to users in this age group, including age-appropriate content controls, restrictions on interactions with unknown users, screen-time management tools and parental supervision features. The resolution also calls for the disabling of high-risk features that could expose younger users to potential harm online. Officials said these measures are designed to create a safer digital environment while allowing teenagers to benefit from technology in a controlled and age-appropriate manner. The regulations also place responsibility on social media companies to actively monitor and address violations. Platforms must identify accounts created by children under 15 and take immediate action to suspend or disable them. Companies are also required to prevent users from bypassing age-verification systems and are prohibited from using children's personal information for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling. The UAE government said the framework is intended to address concerns over children's exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive social media use and the collection of personal data. The UAE's move mirrors efforts in several countries around the world to tighten controls on children's access to social media. Governments in Australia and parts of Europe have introduced or proposed stricter regulations amid mounting evidence linking excessive social media use to mental health challenges, cyberbullying, online exploitation and privacy risks among young users. In announcing the resolution, the Cabinet said the objective is to "establish an advanced model for child protection in the digital space, reinforcing the national digital safety framework in line with the rapid evolution of technology use, and striking a balance between enabling responsible use of modern technologies and ensuring the highest standards of child protection." PIA/CAM/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page