The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set 15 as the minimum age for using social media, making it the first Arab country to introduce such a restriction for children, according to a DW report.

On June 18, the UAE Cabinet approved a resolution that bars children under 15 from creating, using, or operating personal social media accounts. The rules also prevent them from posting content, commenting, sharing posts, joining public groups, or participating in large interactive spaces on these platforms. Parental consent will not count as an exemption from the restrictions set in the resolution.

Safeguards for Older Teenagers: The new rules allow teenagers aged 15 and 16 to use social media but require platforms to provide additional safeguards. These include age-appropriate content controls, limits on interactions with unknown users, screen-time management tools, and parental supervision features.

Age Verification Becomes Mandatory: A major change is age verification. Platforms will no longer be allowed to rely on users simply declaring their age. They will have to use stronger checks, including digital identity systems and AI-supported tools such as biometrics or other methods approved by the Child Digital Safety Council. These systems will be reviewed regularly, and users will have to be informed about how they work. 

For more on the broader debate around online age checks and children’s access to social media, read our event coverage of Age Verification and Restricting Social Media for Children here.

Companies will have up to 12 months to comply. They must remove accounts belonging to children under 15, prevent users from bypassing age checks, and stop using children’s personal data for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling.

The UAE said the measures aim to address concerns over children’s exposure to harmful content, unsafe online interactions, excessive use of the platforms, and data collection practices.

Platforms have until December 31, 2026, to comply with the new requirements, with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) overseeing enforcement. A separate provision restricts platforms from collecting the personal data of under-13 children without verifiable parental consent.

Part of a Global Trend: The decision comes as more countries tighten rules around children’s access to social media. Australia has already introduced a ban for users under 16, while the UK, Malaysia and several European countries have also moved towards stricter controls.

The UAE’s decision has reignited debates on whether authorities can enforce age bans effectively, how these platforms will verify children’s ages without creating new privacy risks, and whether such restrictions could limit young users’ access to social connections and information.

To learn more about the growing debate around age verification and social media restrictions for children, explore our curated reading list here.

According to a 2024 survey cited by UAE authorities, children in the country spend around three hours a day on social media. Experts have linked excessive use to problems including anxiety, attention difficulties, academic challenges, and other developmental concerns.

Read more:

• The harms of social media: What is driving proposed age restrictions for children on the internet
• Digital Literacy: How parents and schools can build children’s agency against online harms
• Karnataka CM Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-16s: What Challenges Lie Ahead?