By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a nationwide ban on social media use for children under the age of 15, becoming the first Arab country to introduce such restrictions as governments around the world tighten regulations on young people’s online activities.
The new measure, approved by the UAE Cabinet, requires social media platforms to identify and disable accounts belonging to users below the minimum age or face regulatory sanctions, including partial or full suspension of their services within the country.
According to the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM), the regulation sets 15 years as the minimum age for creating, operating, or using personal social media accounts.
“The resolution sets the minimum age for social media use at 15 years,” WAM reported.
“Children below this age are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal accounts on social media platforms.”
Authorities have granted social media companies a 12-month transition period to comply with the directive.
The move places the UAE alongside a growing number of countries, including Australia, Britain, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, and several European nations, that have introduced restrictions aimed at limiting minors’ access to social media platforms.
Governments adopting such measures have cited concerns over mental health issues, cyberbullying, online exploitation, addictive digital behaviour, and declining physical activity among children.
Under the new framework, teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be permitted to use social media but will be subject to enhanced safety measures, including content restrictions and screen-time limits.
The regulation also places responsibility on parents and guardians to ensure that children under 15 do not access social media platforms or circumvent age-verification systems.
“Parental consent shall not constitute a valid exemption,” the regulation states.
The UAE’s media and telecommunications regulators have been empowered to take enforcement action against platforms that fail to comply with the new requirements. Such measures may include warnings, administrative penalties, or the suspension of platform operations within the country.
The UAE already enforces strict cyber regulations, particularly concerning online content and the spread of misinformation. During recent regional conflicts, authorities arrested hundreds of individuals for allegedly sharing images and content related to military attacks.
While supporters argue that stricter social media rules help shield children from harmful online experiences, critics contend that such bans may prove difficult to enforce and could push young users toward less regulated digital spaces.
