The United Arab Emirates has unveiled a sweeping new digital safety policy as the government moves to tighten online protections for children.
Under the new rules, social media platforms will be required to prevent children under the age of 15 from creating or operating accounts, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to regulate online activity among minors.
The decision means that social media companies must actively monitor their platforms and disable accounts belonging to users below the age threshold. Platforms that fail to comply could face penalties, including partial or complete blocking within the UAE.
According to the government resolution, “the minimum age for social media use” has been set at 15 years.
Authorities stated that children younger than this age are prohibited from creating, using, or managing personal social media accounts.
UAE Bans Social Media for Under-15s Amid Global Trend
The UAE bans social media access for younger children at a time when governments around the world are introducing similar regulations. Countries such as Australia, Britain, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, and several European nations have already adopted or proposed restrictions designed to limit minors’ exposure to online platforms.
Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide social media ban for under-16s in late 2025, while Britain recently announced comparable measures.
Officials said the UAE’s latest policy is intended to strengthen child protection in the digital space. State news agency WAM described the regulation as being “closely aligned with leading global trends in digital child protection.”
The government cited concerns about mental health challenges, cyberbullying, online predators, addictive online behavior, and declining physical activity among children as major reasons behind the decision.
New Rules Place Responsibility on Platforms and Parents
The new framework goes beyond age restrictions by limiting the online activities available to young users. Children under 15 will be barred from accessing key social media features, including publishing content, commenting, sharing posts, joining public groups, participating in open channels, and engaging in large-scale interactive communities.
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be allowed to use social media platforms, but under enhanced safety measures. These protections include stricter content controls, usage limits, and additional safeguards aimed at reducing exposure to harmful material.
Regulators overseeing media and telecommunications services have been granted authority to enforce compliance. The resolution states that authorities may issue warnings, impose administrative penalties, or partially or fully block platforms that fail to meet the new requirements.
Parents and caregivers also have responsibilities under the new rules. The government emphasized that adults must prevent children from bypassing age-verification systems or accessing social media illegally.
Officials further clarified that parental approval will not exempt underage users from the restrictions.
While supporters of the policy argue that stronger controls are necessary to protect children’s well-being, critics contend that such bans may be difficult to enforce and could push young users toward less-regulated corners of the internet.
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Others warn that limiting social media access may reduce opportunities for social interaction and digital learning.
Nevertheless, the UAE government maintains that the policy represents an important step toward creating a safer online environment for children and ensuring responsible use of digital platforms in an increasingly connected world.
