The United Arab Emirates has approved new rules restricting social media access for children under 15. Under a government resolution, minors below the age of 15 are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal social media accounts in the UAE, including activities such as posting, commenting, sharing, or joining public groups. The requirements apply across social media platforms operating in the country.
The measures also require platforms to implement age-verification procedures to prevent under-15 accounts. Multiple outlets report that companies are given a transition period of about 12 months to review their systems and remove or disable under-age accounts, after which penalties or enforcement actions may follow if they do not comply. The UAE’s step is described by several sources as the first such restriction in the Arab world.
Several reports frame the policy as part of broader international efforts by governments to address concerns about the effects of online platforms on children. The UAE’s media office says the goal is to restrict minors’ ability to participate through personal social media accounts while ensuring platforms comply with the new age limits.
