The United Arab Emirates has become the first Arab nation to prohibit children under the age of 15 from creating or operating personal social media accounts, joining a growing list of countries tightening regulations to protect minors in the digital age.
The landmark policy, approved by the UAE Cabinet on Thursday, places the Gulf nation at the forefront of global efforts to address concerns over children’s exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying, predatory behaviour, excessive screen time, and the collection of personal data by technology platforms.
Unlike some jurisdictions that permit younger users to access social media with parental consent, the UAE’s new rules impose a blanket ban on account ownership and usage for children below 15 years, with enforcement responsibility placed directly on social media companies.
According to the state-run WAM news agency, children under the age threshold will be prohibited from creating, using, or managing personal accounts, as well as accessing key social networking functions such as posting content, commenting, sharing information, joining public groups, and interacting with other users on open channels.
The move aligns with an emerging international trend toward stronger child online protection frameworks. In late 2024, Australia passed one of the world’s strictest social media laws, banning children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms and requiring technology companies to implement robust age-verification mechanisms.
Similarly, the United Kingdom has intensified enforcement of child safety provisions under its Online Safety Act, compelling digital platforms to introduce age checks and stronger safeguards for younger users.
Several other countries, including France, Norway, and some U.S. states, have also explored or introduced age-based restrictions and parental consent requirements as governments grapple with the impact of social media on children’s mental health, privacy, and online safety.
Under the UAE framework, teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be permitted to use social media platforms, but with enhanced protections.
These include age-appropriate content controls, restrictions on unsolicited contact from unknown users, screen-time management tools, and parental supervision features designed to create a safer digital environment.
Industry observers say the UAE’s decision could add momentum to the global push for stricter platform accountability, especially as regulators increasingly shift responsibility from parents to technology companies to ensure age compliance and child protection online.
The development also raises fresh questions for emerging digital economies, including those in Africa, about how best to balance children’s access to digital opportunities with growing concerns over online safety, privacy, and responsible technology use.
