The United Arab Emirates has set a new precedent in the Arab world by enacting regulations that ban children under the age of 15 from having personal social media accounts. According to the new Cabinet resolution, those under 15 will not be able to access key social media functionalities. This includes activities such as posting, commenting, sharing content, interacting with other users, or joining public groups and channels.
Social media companies operating in the UAE have been given a 12-month window to adjust to these regulations. They will be required to incorporate effective age-verification systems, moving beyond the current reliance on self-reported ages from users. This change aims to ensure compliance with the new age restrictions and bolster online safety for children.
For teenagers aged 15 and 16, social media access will still be permitted, but with additional safety protocols in place. These measures include restrictions on age-inappropriate content, limitations on interactions with unknown users, and the availability of parental control tools. Additionally, there will be controls on the amount of time these teenagers can spend on social media platforms.
The UAE government stated that the initiative is designed to enhance child protection in the digital realm while encouraging responsible technology use. Under the new rules, platforms will also be required to identify and suspend any accounts that have been improperly created by children under the age of 15.