UAE Becomes the First Arab Country to Restrict Social Media Use for Children Under 15
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a new regulation on children’s use of social media. Under the decision approved by the UAE Cabinet, children under the age of 15 will be prohibited from creating, using, or managing personal accounts on social media platforms. With this move, the UAE has become the first Arab country to restrict social media use for children under 15.
The UAE’s new social media decision aims to protect children against digital risks such as exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe interactions, the collection of personal data, and excessive use. The UAE Cabinet stated that the regulation was prepared in response to children’s increasing use of digital platforms and the risks associated with it.
Age Verification Requirement for Social Media Platforms
The new regulation applies to all social media platforms operating in the UAE or targeting users in the country. Free or paid platforms that offer features such as account or profile creation, interaction with other users, content publishing or sharing, and content display through algorithmic recommendation systems will be considered within the scope of the regulation.
Under the rule, children under the age of 15 will not be able to open personal accounts on social media platforms or access full features such as posting, commenting, sharing content, joining public groups, or participating in large-scale interaction spaces. Platforms will be required to establish reliable age verification mechanisms, including digital identity systems or AI-supported technologies.
Controlled Access for the 15–16 Age Group
The UAE’s new social media regulation provides a controlled access model, rather than a complete ban, for users aged 15 to 16. This age group will be granted access with safety measures such as age-appropriate content filters, restrictions on interactions with strangers, usage time controls, and parental supervision. Platforms have been given a transition period of up to 12 months to comply with the rules.
In the event of non-compliance, platforms may face warnings, partial or full blocking, and administrative sanctions. The enforcement process will be carried out by the National Media Office and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority.
Global Social Media Restrictions Are Spreading
The UAE’s move is considered part of a global trend toward restricting children’s use of socialmedia. Countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, Türkiye, Greece, France, Canada, Norway, Spain, Denmark, and Germany are also considering bans, age limits, or verification mechanisms related to children’s access to social media.
According to DataReportal’s “Digital 2026: UAE” report, the UAE had 11.3 million internet users as of late 2025 and early 2026, corresponding to 99 percent of the population. During the same period, 12.5 million active social media identities were identified in the country. The new regulation shows that oversight of platforms will become even stricter in areas such as child safety, data privacy, and digital well-being.