UAE bans social media use by children under 15

The United Arab Emirates has enacted new regulations to shield children under 15 from the potential harms of social media. The country's authorities approved measures on Thursday that prohibit minors from creating, using, or managing personal social media accounts. This ban also extends to posting content, commenting, sharing material, or joining public groups on these platforms.

These new rules are designed to safeguard children from inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive screen time, and the exploitation of their personal data. For teenagers aged 15 and 16, social media use will be permitted only with specific safeguards in place. These include age-appropriate content controls, restrictions on communication with strangers, tools for managing screen time, and mandatory parental supervision.

Technology companies operating in the UAE must now employ advanced age-verification technologies, moving beyond self-declared information to systems like digital identity and AI-based tools. They are required to remove accounts belonging to children under 15, prevent attempts to bypass age verification, and cease using children's personal data for targeted advertising or behavioral analysis. Companies have been given a 12-month period to comply with these stringent regulations.

The UAE becomes the first Arab nation to establish a minimum age for social media use. This significant move aligns with global trends, as countries like Australia and several European nations are also considering or implementing similar restrictions due to mounting concerns over social media's impact on children's mental health and overall safety.

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the measures are intended to protect children from inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive social media use, and the misuse of personal data.