The United Arab Emirates has announced a new regulation banning children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, in a move aimed at strengthening digital child protection. The decision, approved through a recent cabinet resolution, places strict responsibility on social media companies to ensure compliance or risk facing penalties, including potential blocking of their services.
According to the state-run WAM news agency, the resolution establishes 15 as the minimum age for creating or operating personal accounts on social media platforms. It explicitly prohibits children below this age from using, creating, or managing accounts, and gives platforms a 12-month transition period to implement the required changes.
The new rules also place significant obligations on social media companies, requiring them to monitor and disable accounts belonging to under-15 users. Authorities warned that non-compliance could result in enforcement actions such as warnings, administrative penalties, or partial or complete blocking of platforms operating in the country.
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Under the framework, children aged between 15 and 16 will still be allowed access to social media but with additional safeguards. These include content restrictions, usage limits, and other “enhanced protective measures” designed to reduce exposure to harmful content and excessive screen time, according to the resolution.
The UAE government said the policy aligns with global efforts to regulate children’s access to digital platforms. Similar restrictions have recently been introduced or proposed in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada, amid growing concerns about mental health, cyberbullying, and online safety risks associated with early social media use.
The resolution also assigns responsibility to parents and guardians, stating that they must ensure children do not bypass age restrictions. It further clarifies that parental consent will not exempt platforms or users from compliance requirements. Officials noted that the UAE already maintains strict cyber laws, including penalties for spreading misinformation online, reinforcing its broader approach to regulating digital activity.
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