Children Under 15 Barred from Social Media as UAE Unveils Tough New Rules

By Gloria Drealomalicha

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a nationwide ban on social media use for children under the age of 15, marking a significant step in its efforts to strengthen online safety and protect young people from the risks associated with digital platforms.

The new measure, approved through a cabinet resolution, requires social media companies to identify and deactivate accounts belonging to users younger than 15. Platforms that fail to comply could face a range of sanctions, including administrative penalties and restrictions on their operations.

Authorities have granted social media companies a 12-month transition period to implement the necessary measures before enforcement begins.

According to the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM), the resolution officially sets 15 as the minimum age for social media use across the country.

“Children below this age are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal accounts on social media platforms,” the resolution stated.

The restrictions extend beyond account ownership. Under the new rules, children under 15 will also be prevented from accessing many of the core features of social media platforms, including posting content, commenting, sharing material, participating in public groups and engaging in large-scale online interactions.

The UAE government says the policy is designed to create a safer digital environment for young people amid growing global concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, wellbeing and online security.

The move places the UAE among a growing number of countries tightening regulations around children’s access to social media. Australia introduced a landmark ban on social media access for users under 16 in late 2025, while Britain and Canada have also announced measures aimed at increasing protections for young internet users.

WAM reported that the UAE’s media and telecommunications regulators have been given broad powers to oversee compliance and take enforcement action against platforms that fail to meet the new requirements.

Potential penalties include warnings, partial or full blocking of services, and other administrative sanctions, according to the cabinet resolution.

The decision reflects an emerging global trend as governments seek to balance the benefits of digital connectivity with concerns about children’s exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, online exploitation and excessive screen time.