The United Arab Emirates has introduced a minimum age requirement of 15 for social media use, becoming the first Arab nation to impose such restrictions as governments worldwide seek to address growing concerns about the impact of online platforms on children.
Under new regulations approved on Thursday, children under the age of 15 will be prohibited from creating, operating or using personal social media accounts, according to the UAE Government Media Office.
The restrictions mean children below the age threshold will not be permitted to post content, comment, share material or participate in public groups on social media platforms.
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will be allowed to access social media services, but under enhanced safeguards. These include age-appropriate content controls, restrictions on interactions with unknown users, screen-time management tools and parental supervision features.
The rules apply to all social media platforms operating in the UAE and require companies to implement robust age-verification systems. The government said platforms must use measures such as digital identity checks and artificial intelligence-supported verification technologies, while self-declared ages will no longer be accepted.
Social media companies will also be required to disable accounts belonging to children under 15, prevent attempts to bypass age-verification systems and refrain from using children’s personal data for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling.
According to the government, the measures are intended to reduce children’s exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive social media use and the misuse of personal data.
Platforms have been given up to 12 months to comply with the new regulations.
The UAE said the framework aligns with global efforts to strengthen online child protection while balancing digital access and safety.
Several countries, including Australia and a number of European nations, have introduced or proposed similar restrictions amid growing concerns about the effects of social media on young people’s mental health and online safety.
