The United Arab Emirates has announced a nationwide ban on social media use by children under the age of 15, becoming the first Arab nation to introduce such a restriction amid growing global concerns about online safety and youth mental health.
Key Highlights:
Under a new cabinet resolution announced on Thursday, social media companies will be required to identify and disable accounts belonging to users below the minimum age threshold or face regulatory sanctions, including possible restrictions on their operations within the country.
According to the state-run WAM News Agency, the regulation establishes 15 years as the minimum age for creating and operating personal social media accounts.
The new policy prohibits children under that age from opening, using or managing accounts on social media platforms.
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Authorities have granted platforms a 12-month transition period to implement the necessary systems and compliance measures before enforcement begins.
The UAE joins a growing list of countries tightening regulations around children’s access to social media. Recent measures have been introduced or proposed in countries including Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia and Turkey.
Governments introducing such restrictions have cited concerns over mental health challenges, cyberbullying, online exploitation, excessive screen time, addictive behaviour and declining physical activity among young people.
However, critics argue that age-based bans may be difficult to enforce effectively and could push children toward less regulated online spaces where monitoring and parental oversight become more challenging.
The UAE government said the new framework is designed to strengthen digital child protection and align with emerging international standards.
Under the rules, children below 15 will be barred from accessing core social media functions such as posting content, commenting, sharing material, joining public groups, participating in open channels and engaging in large-scale interactive online communities.
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be permitted to use social media platforms, but their access will be subject to additional safeguards, including content filtering measures and limits on usage time.
The resolution also grants media and telecommunications regulators authority to enforce compliance. Penalties for violations may include warnings, administrative sanctions and partial or complete blocking of platforms that fail to comply with the requirements.
In addition, parents and caregivers have been assigned responsibility for preventing underage children from accessing social media or circumventing age-verification systems.
The regulation specifically states that parental approval will not exempt children under 15 from the restrictions.
The move comes as the UAE continues to maintain some of the region’s strictest digital regulations, including laws governing online content, misinformation and social media activity.
Officials say the latest measures are intended to create a safer online environment for young people while promoting healthier digital habits and stronger protections against online risks.
