- The UAE has set 15 as the minimum age for social media use, requiring platforms to introduce robust age-verification systems and enhanced safeguards for teenagers as part of a broader push to strengthen child protection online.
The UAE Cabinet has approved new regulations prohibiting children under the age of 15 from creating or using personal social media accounts, in a move aimed at strengthening child safety in the digital environment.
Under the resolution announced on Thursday, social media platforms operating in the UAE will have up to 12 months to comply with the new requirements and implement the necessary technical and regulatory measures in coordination with relevant authorities.
The government said the rules were introduced in response to the growing use of social media by children and increasing concerns over exposure to harmful content, unsafe online interactions, excessive screen time and the collection of personal data.
The regulations prohibit children under 15 from opening or using personal accounts on social media platforms and bar them from accessing the full functionality of such services.
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will be permitted to use social media under a regulated framework that includes age-appropriate content classification, limits on interactions, controlled usage periods and parental supervision tools.
The resolution requires social media companies to deploy reliable age-verification systems and actively monitor accounts for compliance. Platforms must take immediate action against accounts that violate the new rules.
The regulations apply to all social media services that allow users to create accounts, interact with others, publish or share content, or use algorithm-driven systems to recommend or rank content. The rules cover both free and paid platforms accessible to users in the UAE.
In a significant provision, the Cabinet said parental consent cannot be used to override the restrictions imposed under the new framework. This means parents will not be able to authorise children under the minimum age threshold to create or maintain social media accounts.
The government said the measure forms part of the UAE’s broader efforts to develop a safe digital ecosystem for young people while keeping pace with rapid technological change and evolving online risks.
The UAE joins a growing number of countries reviewing or introducing age-based restrictions on social media use as governments worldwide seek to balance children’s access to digital technologies with concerns over online safety, privacy and mental well-being.
