The United Arab Emirates announced on Thursday that it will prohibit children under 15 from using social media, becoming the first Arab country to introduce such restrictions amid growing concern over the impact of online platforms on young people.
Under the newly approved rules, children below the age of 15 will be barred from creating, using or managing personal social media accounts. They will also be unable to publish content, post comments, share material or join public groups, the government media office said.
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will be permitted to use social media under additional safeguards. These include age-based content classifications, restrictions on interactions with unknown users, screen-time management tools and parental supervision features.
The regulations will apply to every social media platform operating in the UAE. Companies must introduce effective age-verification systems using methods such as digital identity checks and artificial intelligence. Users will not be allowed to verify their age through self-declaration alone.
Platforms must also disable accounts belonging to children under 15, prevent attempts to bypass verification systems and refrain from using children’s personal data for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling.
The government said the measures were designed to reduce children’s exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive social media use and the collection of personal information.
Social media companies will be given up to 12 months to comply with the new regulations.
The UAE said the framework aligned with international efforts to improve online child protection while balancing digital access with safety.
Several countries, including Australia and some European states, have introduced or considered tighter controls on children’s social media use amid mounting concerns about mental health and online safety.
