The United Arab Emirates has enacted groundbreaking regulations that prohibit children under the age of 15 from creating, using, or managing personal social media accounts. This makes the UAE the first Arab nation to impose such restrictions. The new rules, outlined in a recent Cabinet resolution, bar individuals under 15 from accessing key social media functionalities, such as posting, commenting, sharing content, interacting with other users, or participating in public groups and channels.
Social media platforms operating within the UAE’s borders have been given a 12-month timeframe to align with these regulations. As part of the compliance process, platforms are required to establish robust age-verification systems that do not solely depend on users’ self-declared ages. This move underscores the UAE’s commitment to enhancing digital safety for its younger population.
For teenagers aged 15 and 16, social media engagement will still be allowed but with increased safety measures in place. These measures include implementing age-appropriate content filters, restricting interactions with unfamiliar users, providing parental control options, and regulating the amount of time spent on these platforms. The initiative aims to foster a safer digital environment for young users while encouraging responsible technology use.
The government emphasizes that the primary goal of these new regulations is to bolster child protection in the online world. Social media platforms are also mandated to identify and deactivate accounts that are found to be created by children under the age of 15, in direct violation of the newly established rules. By setting these standards, the UAE hopes to lead by example in promoting digital safety for children.