UAE Bans Social Media For Children Under 15

The UAE has issued a new resolution banning children under 15 from accessing social media platforms.

Children aged 15 and 16 will be permitted to use social media under enhanced restrictions. The resolution was approved on June 18.

Under-15 Ban

Children under 15 will be prohibited from creating or using personal social media accounts or accessing the full features of these platforms.

They will not be allowed to post content, comment, share, or join public groups. Parental consent will not constitute a valid exemption from the ban.

Rules For Older Children

Children aged 15 and 16 will be allowed regulated access to social media platforms.

Their accounts will be subject to enhanced protective measures, including age-appropriate content classification and restrictions.

Platforms will also be required to disable high-risk features, regulate the duration of use, and provide parental control tools.

Age Verification

Social media platforms currently allow users to declare their own age, but the UAE does not consider this a reliable verification method.

Under the new rules, platforms will be required to use age-verification systems to confirm a child’s digital identity.

These may include AI-supported technologies, biometric tools, or other mechanisms approved by the Child Digital Safety Council.

The verification systems will be reviewed regularly, and platforms will have to provide clear information about how they operate.

Implementation Period

Social media platforms operating in the UAE will have up to 12 months to progressively implement the new standards in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The UAE said the framework aligns with international efforts to strengthen child protection online while balancing digital access with safety.

Social Media Use

According to a 2024 survey, children in the UAE spend around three hours each day on social media platforms.

Experts have said prolonged social media use among children can increase challenges, including anxiety, attention difficulties, academic struggles, and, in some cases, speech delays.

The UAE follows other countries regulating social media access for children under 16, including the UK, Australia, and Malaysia.

Experts have also noted that social media platforms stimulate dopamine release in the brain and encourage repeated engagement.

Shares, likes and comments activate the brain’s reward centre, creating a sensation similar to the pleasure experienced during gambling or substance use and encouraging users to return.