The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set the minimum age for using social media at 15, becoming the first Arab country to introduce such a restriction, as governments around the world seek to address growing concerns about the impact of online platforms on children.
Under a resolution approved Thursday, children under the age of 15 will be prohibited from creating, using or operating personal social media accounts. The ban means they will not be able to post content, comment, share or join public groups, the government media office said.
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will be allowed to use social media platforms subject to enhanced protections, including age-appropriate content controls, restrictions on interaction with unfamiliar 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-based technologies. Self-declaration of age will not be accepted as a valid form of verification.
Platforms must also 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 said the measures were aimed at addressing concerns about children’s exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive use of social media and the collection of personal data.
Social media companies will have up to 12 months to comply with the new regulations.
The UAE said the framework aligns with international efforts to strengthen the protection of children online while balancing digital access and safety.
Several countries, including Australia and other European countries, have moved to tighten restrictions on children’s use of social media, amid growing concerns about its effects on mental health and online safety.
