The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a new policy prohibiting children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, becoming one of the latest countries to impose stricter regulations on young users’ online activities.
The decision was approved through a cabinet resolution and is aimed at enhancing child safety and protecting young people from potential risks associated with social media use.
Platforms Given 12 Months to Comply
Under the new regulation, social media companies will be required to identify, monitor, and disable accounts operated by users below the age of 15.
Authorities have granted platforms a 12-month transition period to implement the necessary measures and ensure compliance with the new rules.
According to the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM), the resolution establishes 15 years as the minimum age for creating and operating personal social media accounts.
Restrictions on Underage Users
The policy prohibits children under 15 from accessing the full range of social media features available to older users.
This includes restrictions on:
– Creating and managing personal accounts
– Publishing posts and content
– Commenting on public content
– Sharing posts and media
– Joining public groups and channels
– Participating in large-scale online interactive communities
The government said the measures are designed to create a safer digital environment for children while reducing exposure to potentially harmful online content and interactions.
Tough Penalties for Non-Compliant Platforms
The UAE government warned that social media companies that fail to comply with the new regulations could face sanctions.
Media and telecommunications regulators have been granted authority to enforce the policy through a range of measures, including warnings, administrative penalties, and partial or complete restrictions on non-compliant platforms.
Global Trend Toward Youth Social Media Restrictions
The UAE joins a growing list of countries introducing age-based restrictions on social media use.
The move follows similar actions by countries such as Australia, which implemented a ban on social media access for users under 16, as well as recent proposals announced in the United Kingdom and Canada.
Governments worldwide have increasingly expressed concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, online safety, privacy, and exposure to harmful content.
Focus on Child Online Safety
The latest policy underscores the UAE’s efforts to strengthen digital safety standards and enhance protections for minors in the online space.
Authorities say the new rules are part of broader initiatives aimed at ensuring that technological advancements are balanced with safeguards that protect young users from online risks.
The regulations are expected to take full effect after the one-year implementation period, during which social media platforms will be required to update their systems and compliance procedures.