UAE bans social media for under-15s

The United Arab Emirates has moved to tighten online safety measures for children, mandating social media platforms to deploy robust identity verification systems and advanced artificial intelligence tools to prevent underage users from accessing their services. The measures form part of a Cabinet resolution regulating children's access to social media platforms, with authorities granting companies a 12-month transition period to comply with the new requirements.

Platforms told to verify age, disable underage accounts

Under the new regulations, social media companies will be required to implement identity verification mechanisms capable of preventing children below the legal age threshold from creating accounts. Platforms must also actively monitor existing accounts, identify underage users and disable such accounts where necessary. According to Khaleej Times, Majid Sultan Al-Masmar, Director General of the TDRA, said the regulations mandate social media platforms to deploy identity verification and advanced AI technologies to protect children online. The official said the measures are designed to strengthen digital safety and ensure that social media companies take greater responsibility for protecting minors.

Minimum age set at 15 years

The UAE government last month announced a nationwide ban on social media use by children under the age of 15, joining a growing list of countries introducing age-based restrictions on digital platforms. Under the Cabinet resolution, 15 years has been set as the minimum age for social media use. Children below this age will not be permitted to create, use or operate personal accounts on social media platforms. The rules also restrict under-15 users from accessing core social media functions, including posting content, commenting, sharing material, participating in public groups, joining open channels and engaging in large-scale interactive online spaces.

Authorities empowered to act against non-compliant platforms

The UAE has also granted regulators extensive enforcement powers to ensure compliance. Quoting Al-Masmar, Khaleej Times reported that competent authorities will be authorised to take action ranging from administrative penalties to partial or complete blocking of platforms that fail to implement the required safeguards within the stipulated timeline. The regulations are expected to be implemented through what officials described as an “institutional integration framework”, involving coordination between telecommunications, digital governance and media authorities.

UAE joins global trend

The move places the UAE among a growing number of countries seeking to limit children's access to social media amid concerns over online safety, harmful content and excessive screen time. The decision follows Australia's world-first social media restrictions for users under 16, which came into effect in December. Britain has also announced similar measures this week, while other countries, including Canada, are exploring stronger age-verification requirements. With the latest rules, the UAE is signalling a stricter approach to online child protection, placing greater accountability on social media companies to verify users' ages and prevent underage participation on their platforms.