Dubai: Following the trend of social media ban for children, UAE is set to become the fifth country in a row but with a slight change.
The UAE has approved the regulation for restrictions on children under age 15 unlike 16 which are set for the rest of the countries like Canada, UK, Australia, Brazil and Indonesia. The decision was taken by the UAE Cabinet, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid AL Maktoum.
According to the resolution, children under the age of 15 are not allowed to create or operate social media accounts, nor access interactive features such as posting, sharing, commenting or joining public groups.
#مجلس_الوزراء يصدر قراراً بشأن تنظيم وصول الأطفال إلى منصات التواصل الاجتماعي وتحديد الحد الأدنى لعمر استخدامها بــــ(15) عاماً pic.twitter.com/jcFkI9Ds0l
— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) June 18, 2026
Users aged 15 to 16 will be allowed to access but with restrictions says the resolution in order to safeguard the children’s well being. These include age-appropriate content controls, restrictions on high-risk interactions, limited screen time and enhanced parental supervision tools.
Authorities have stressed that parental consent will not override the restrictions set under the new framework. Also the resolution states that those who operate social media platforms in or out of the country will have to abide by the law and implement age verification systems including identity checks and approved technological solutions. No more self-declared age criteria would exist.
Platforms are also urged to comply with the guidelines such as not to allow underage accounts to exist, prevent targeted advertising based on children’s data as well as strengthen privacy protections. The National Media Authority, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority are the regulators who will look after the compliance. Platforms are given a deadline of 12 months to comply with the norms.
Also Read: UK Plans Social Media Ban for Under-16s After Australia-Plus Approach
