United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the latest country to restrict children’s access to social media, introducing a nationwide ban on users under the age of 15.
Gatekeepers News reports that under a new Cabinet resolution approved on Thursday, social media companies have been given 12 months to identify and remove accounts belonging to children below the age threshold or risk being banned from operating in the country.
According to the state-run news agency WAM, the regulation establishes 15 years as the minimum age for social media use.
“The resolution sets the minimum age for social media use at 15 years. Children below this age are prohibited from creating, using or operating personal accounts,” WAM reported.
The UAE government said the measure is aimed at protecting children from harmful online content, unsafe interactions, excessive social media exposure and the misuse of personal data.
The country joins a growing list of nations tightening regulations on children’s social media use. In December, Australia became the first country to introduce a social media ban for children under 16, citing concerns over mental health, cyberbullying and reduced physical activity.
Countries including Britain, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and several European nations have also adopted measures to limit teen access to social media platforms. However, the UAE is the first Arab country to implement such a restriction.
While supporters argue that the policy will enhance online safety for children, critics contend that such bans are difficult to enforce and could limit young people’s ability to maintain social connections.
WAM said the new framework aligns with “leading global trends in digital child protection” and restricts children from accessing key social media features.
The restrictions prevent underage users from “accessing the full features of [social media] platforms, including social interaction, publishing, commenting, sharing, joining public groups, open channels, or any large-scale interactive spaces.”
The resolution also empowers the UAE’s telecommunications authorities to enforce compliance.
Authorities will be able to “take all necessary measures [against platforms] in the event of non-compliance,” WAM stated.
Under the new rules, teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be allowed to use social media platforms but will be subject to enhanced safety protections. These include age-appropriate content controls, screen-time management tools and restrictions on interactions with unknown users.
