The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set a minimum age of 15 for social media use, becoming the first Arab country to introduce such a restriction as governments around the world seek to address growing concerns over the impact of online platforms on children.
Under a resolution approved Thursday, children under the age of 15 will be prohibited from creating, using or operating personal accounts on social media. The ban means they will not be able to post content, comment, share or participate in public groups, the government’s media office said.
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 are allowed to use social media platforms subject to enhanced security measures, including age-appropriate content controls, restrictions on interaction with unknown users, screen time management tools and parental control features.
The rules apply to all social media platforms operating in the UAE and require companies to implement robust age verification measures, including digital identity verification and artificial intelligence-supported technologies. Tax declaration of age will not be accepted as a valid form of verification.
Platforms must also disable accounts created by children under 15, prevent users from bypassing age verification systems, and refrain from using children’s personal data for targeted advertising or behavioral profiling.
The government said the measures were designed to address concerns about children’s exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive use of social media and the collection of personal data.
Social media companies will have up to 12 months to comply with the new rules.
The UAE said the framework is in line with international efforts to strengthen online child protection while balancing digital access with security.
Several countries, including Australia and others in Europe, have moved to tighten restrictions on children’s use of social media amid growing concerns about its impact on mental health and online safety.
