The United Arab Emirates has introduced new regulations setting the minimum age for social media use at 15, in a move aimed at strengthening online child protection and regulating access to digital platforms.
Under the new rules, children under the age of 15 will no longer be allowed to create or operate personal social media accounts. This includes posting content, commenting, sharing material, or joining public groups.
The government said the measures are designed to reduce exposure to harmful content, limit unsafe online interactions, and protect children’s personal data in digital spaces.
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be permitted to access social media, but only under stricter conditions. These include enhanced content controls, screen-time limits, parental supervision tools, and restrictions on interactions with unknown users.
All social media platforms operating in the UAE will be required to implement robust age-verification systems. These include digital identity checks and artificial intelligence-based tools, while self-declared age information will not be accepted.
Companies will also be required to block underage accounts, prevent attempts to bypass verification systems, and ensure children’s data is not used for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling.
Authorities said platforms will be given up to 12 months to comply with the new framework, which they described as part of broader international efforts to improve online safety for children while maintaining access to digital services.
The UAE is the first Arab country to introduce a nationwide minimum age requirement for social media use, as governments globally tighten rules around children’s access to online platforms.
