DUBAI:The United Arab Emirates has introduced a minimum age requirement of 15 for social media use, becoming the first Arab nation to impose such a restriction amid growing global concerns about the impact of online platforms on children.
Under new regulations approved on Thursday, children younger than 15 will not be allowed to create or operate personal social media accounts. They will also be barred from posting content, commenting, sharing material, or joining public groups, according to the government's media office.
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be able to access social media, but platforms must provide additional protections. These include age-appropriate content filters, limits on interactions with strangers, screen-time management tools, and parental supervision options.
The rules apply to all social media companies operating in the UAE. Platforms will be required to adopt stringent age-verification systems, including digital identity checks and AI-assisted technologies. Simply declaring one's age will no longer be considered sufficient verification.
In addition, companies must deactivate accounts belonging to users under 15, prevent attempts to bypass age checks, and stop using children's personal information for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling.
The UAE government said the measures are intended to reduce children's exposure to harmful content, unsafe online interactions, excessive social media use, and misuse of personal data.
Social media firms have been given up to 12 months to comply with the new requirements.
Officials said the framework is in line with international efforts to strengthen online child safety while maintaining access to digital services. The move follows similar efforts in countries such as Australia and several European nations, where governments have tightened rules around children's social media use due to concerns over mental health and online safety.
