The UAE has become the first Arab country to set a minimum age for social media use, with a new Cabinet resolution banning children under 15 from creating or using personal social media accounts.
What the New Rule Says
Under the resolution, children below 15 are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal accounts on any social media platform. This includes being barred from posting, commenting, sharing, or joining public groups and channels. Parental consent cannot be used to get around the restriction.
Rules for Teens Aged 15 and 16
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be able to use social media, but under stricter conditions. Platforms must provide age-appropriate content controls, limit interactions with unknown users, manage screen time, and offer parental control tools.
What Platforms Are Required to Do
Social media companies have been given up to 12 months to bring their operations in line with the new rules. They must introduce accurate and reliable age verification systems, monitor accounts for violations, and take immediate action to enforce compliance. The resolution also bans the use of children’s personal data for commercial tracking purposes.
Why the UAE Introduced This Rule
The policy is part of the UAE’s broader Year of the Family initiative and a new federal decree-law on child digital safety, which also established a Child Digital Safety Council. Officials say the goal is to protect young people from risks like cyberbullying, screen addiction, and harmful content, while avoiding unnecessary disruption for older teens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age for social media in the UAE?
Children must be at least 15 years old to create or use a personal social media account.
Can parents give permission for a younger child to use social media?
No, parental consent cannot override the restriction for children under 15.
How long do platforms have to comply?
Social media companies have been given up to 12 months to implement the required age verification and safety measures.
