The United Arab Emirates has implemented pioneering regulations that bar children under the age of 15 from creating and managing personal social media accounts, marking it as the first Arab nation to enforce such a policy. This new Cabinet resolution restricts young individuals from engaging with core features of social media platforms, including posting, commenting, sharing, and interacting with other users, as well as joining public groups and channels.
Social media companies have been allotted a 12-month period to align with these regulations. To comply, platforms operating within the UAE must establish robust age-verification systems, moving beyond reliance on self-reported ages from users. This initiative aims to bolster child safety in the digital sphere while encouraging the responsible use of technology.
For teenagers aged 15 and 16, social media access remains available but under stricter safety protocols. These enhanced measures include age-appropriate content restrictions, limitations on interactions with unknown users, parental control options, and controls on usage time. By implementing these protections, the government seeks to create a safer online environment for young users.
In addition to these measures, the new regulations mandate social media platforms to identify and suspend accounts created by users under the age of 15 in violation of the rules. This comprehensive approach underscores the UAE’s commitment to enhancing online safety for minors and setting a precedent in the region.