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The United Arab Emirates has introduced a minimum age requirement of 15 for social media use, becoming the first Arab nation to impose such a restriction as governments worldwide intensify efforts to protect children online.
Under a resolution approved on Thursday, children below the age of 15 will be barred from creating, accessing, or managing personal social media accounts. As a result, they will be unable to post content, comment, share material, or participate in public groups, according to the government’s media office.
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be permitted to use social media platforms but will be subject to enhanced safety measures. These include age-appropriate content filters, restrictions on communication with unknown users, screen-time controls, and parental supervision tools.
The regulations apply to all social media platforms operating in the UAE and require companies to adopt stringent age-verification systems. These measures must include digital identity checks and artificial intelligence-powered verification technologies, with simple self-declaration of age no longer considered sufficient.
In addition, platforms will be required to deactivate accounts belonging to children under 15, prevent users from bypassing age-verification procedures, and stop using children’s personal data for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling.
Authorities said the new rules are intended to address growing concerns about children’s exposure to harmful content, unsafe online interactions, excessive social media consumption, and the misuse of personal data.
Social media companies have been given up to 12 months to comply with the new requirements.
The UAE said the framework supports international efforts to strengthen online child protection while maintaining a balance between digital access and user safety.
The move follows similar actions by countries such as Australia and several European nations, which have introduced stricter controls on children’s social media use amid rising concerns about its impact on mental health and online safety.
Source citinews
