Now, Children Under 15 Are Blocked From Using Social Media in the UAE

ABU DHABI, Jun 18: The UAE Cabinet has issued a new resolution regulating children’s access to social media platforms, setting the minimum age for creating and using personal social media accounts at 15 years.

Under the new rules, children below the age of 15 will not be allowed to create personal accounts or access the full features of social media platforms. The measure aims to strengthen online safety, protect children’s privacy and promote responsible digital use.

Social media companies will be given a transitional period of up to 12 months to gradually implement the new requirements in coordination with relevant authorities and ensure their technical systems are prepared.

According to the resolution, users aged 15 to 16 years must be provided with regulated access to social media platforms. This includes:

Platforms will also be required to introduce accurate and reliable age-verification systems to confirm users’ ages.

Companies must monitor accounts that do not comply with the regulations and take immediate action to enforce the new requirements.

The resolution clarifies that parental consent will not override the restrictions. Even if parents approve, children below the minimum age will not be permitted to bypass the rules and create or use personal accounts.

The UAE has also prohibited social media companies from collecting or processing children’s personal data for commercial purposes based on tracking their online activities.

This means companies cannot use children’s digital behaviour, browsing patterns or online interactions for targeted commercial activities.

The resolution places responsibility on parents and caregivers to supervise children’s permitted online activities and educate them about safe and responsible internet practices.

Authorities said the framework provides families with guidance and practical tools to help children develop healthier digital habits while reducing exposure to harmful online content.

Social media platforms now have up to one year to implement the new standards and ensure compliance with the UAE’s updated child protection measures.

Key Provisions:
. Children under the age of 15 are prohibited from creating or using personal accounts on social media platforms and shall not be permitted to access their full features.
. Providing children between the ages of 15 and 16 with regulated and safe access to platforms subject to age-appropriate content classification, restricted interaction, regulated usage time, and parental controls.
. Platforms are required to implement accurate and reliable age verification mechanisms.
. Parental consent shall not constitute a valid exemption from the prohibitions or restrictions set out in the resolution.
. Platforms are required to monitor non-compliant accounts and take immediate action to enforce compliance.
. Prohibition of the use or processing of children's personal data for commercial purposes based on the tracking of their digital activities.
· Caregivers are responsible for actively supervising their child's permitted digital activity and promoting awareness of safe and responsible online practices.
. The resolution provides families with a clear framework and practical tools to help guide children toward more responsible and mindful digital engagement.