Kuwait to soon regulate children’s use of online platforms
Kuwait is set to introduce new regulations governing children’s use of online platforms as part of its comprehensive National Family Protection Program, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology and Acting Minister of Information and Culture Omar Al-Omar has announced.
Speaking during a high-level meeting on the Family Protection Program, Al-Omar said the initiative marks a new chapter in coordinated government action, bringing together multiple ministries and public institutions under a unified framework to strengthen family welfare and child protection.
He stressed that protecting families is a collective national responsibility that extends beyond the mandate of any single government agency, requiring close cooperation and shared commitment across all relevant institutions.
Highlighting the government’s digital transformation strategy, Al-Omar said authorities are coordinating with the Central Agency for Information Technology while leveraging existing strategic partnerships with Microsoft and Google to support digital services.
He reiterated that the government’s policy is to avoid developing new standalone applications, with all future public digital services to be integrated into the unified Sahel platform, reinforcing its role as Kuwait’s single gateway for government services.
Al-Omar revealed that regulations governing children’s use of electronic platforms are expected to be issued in the near future. While drafting legislation is relatively straightforward, he noted that the real challenge lies in effective implementation, ensuring compliance, and enforcing the rules, particularly for international technology companies operating beyond Kuwait’s jurisdiction.
He said the government is examining successful regulatory models adopted by European countries and regional partners, including the United Arab Emirates, to develop a practical and effective framework tailored to Kuwait’s legal and social environment.
According to Al-Omar, the Ministry of Justice is spearheading the legal framework for the initiative in close coordination with the National Cyber Security Center and the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA).
The forthcoming regulations are expected to form a key pillar of Kuwait’s broader strategy to create a safer digital environment for children, protect young users from harmful online content, promote responsible technology use, and strengthen cybersecurity awareness among families as the country continues to advance its digital transformation agenda.
