The United Arab Emirates has introduced a minimum age of 15 for social media use, becoming the first Arab country to implement such a restriction as governments worldwide address concerns over the impact of online platforms on children.
New Regulations for Social Media Use
Under a resolution approved on Thursday, children under 15 are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal social media accounts. The ban includes posting content, commenting, sharing, or joining public groups, according to the government's media office.
Enhanced Safeguards for Teenagers
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 are allowed to use social media platforms subject to enhanced safeguards, including age-appropriate content controls, restrictions on interaction with unknown users, screen-time management tools, and parental supervision features.
The rules apply to all social media platforms operating in the UAE and require companies to implement robust age-verification measures, including digital identity checks and artificial intelligence-supported technologies. Self-declaration of age will not be accepted as valid verification.
Platform Obligations
Platforms must disable accounts created by children under 15, prevent users from circumventing age-verification systems, and refrain from using children's personal data for targeted advertising or behavioral profiling. The government stated that the measures aim to address concerns over children's exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive social media use, and data collection.
Compliance Timeline
Social media companies have up to 12 months to comply with the new regulations. The UAE said the framework aligns with international efforts to strengthen online child protection while balancing digital access with safety.
Several countries, including Australia and others in Europe, have moved to tighten restrictions on children's social media use amid mounting concerns about its effects on mental health and online safety.
