UAE Introduces Social Media Ban for Children Under 15

The UAE has approved new regulations that prohibit children under the age of 15 from creating or using personal social media accounts, making it the first Arab nation to introduce such a measure. The move is aimed at improving online safety and protecting young users from harmful content, cyberbullying and privacy risks. Social media companies will have up to 12 months to comply with the new rules.

Under the new framework, children below 15 will not be allowed to post, comment, share content or join public groups, and parental consent will not exempt them from the restrictions. Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be able to access social media, but with additional safeguards including parental oversight, screen-time controls and limits on interactions with strangers.

Authorities say platforms will be required to introduce stronger age-verification systems, including digital identity checks and AI-powered tools, rather than relying on users to self-report their age. The UAE’s decision follows a growing global trend, with countries including Australia and several European nations moving to tighten regulations around children’s use of social media.