UAE introduces strict social media age rules to protect children online

The United Arab Emirates has banned children under 15 from using social media, becoming the first Arab country to impose such a restriction, following a resolution passed on Thursday that applies to all platforms operating in the country.

The move places the UAE among a growing number of governments worldwide tightening rules to protect children online. Under the new framework, children younger than 15 are prohibited from opening, using, or managing any social media account, with the regulation designed to shield them from dangerous online activity.

What the ban covers

The scope of the restriction is broad. Children below the age of 15 will be unable to post content, leave comments, reshare posts, or participate in social networking forums of any kind. A statement issued by the UAE Government Media Office confirmed that the regulation will cover all platforms operating within the country, placing it among the most far-reaching national-level interventions on youth access to social media.

Rules for 15 and 16-year-olds

Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be permitted to use social media, but under significantly stricter conditions. These include age-appropriate content filters, limited interaction with strangers, restricted time spent online, and enhanced monitoring tools for parents.

Mandatory age verification

Platforms will be required to implement robust age-verification systems, with digital authentication and AI-powered verification techniques made compulsory across all social networks. Self-declaration of age will no longer be accepted as sufficient proof.

Data protections and account deletions

Existing accounts belonging to users under 15 are to be deleted. Any attempts to bypass verification tools will be prohibited, and the use of children's data for targeted advertising will be banned outright.

Companies operating within the UAE have been given 12 months to bring their platforms into compliance with the new rules.