UAE Introduces Social Media Age Limit

The UAE social media ban for children under 15 marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to strengthen online safety.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a nationwide restriction preventing children below the age of 15 from using social media platforms. The new measure forms part of a cabinet resolution that requires social media companies to identify and deactivate accounts belonging to users under the approved age limit.

Under the regulation, platforms have been given a 12-month transition period to align with the new requirements. Companies that fail to comply could face sanctions, including restrictions on their services and administrative penalties.

“The resolution sets the minimum age for social media use at 15 years,” the state-run WAM news agency quoted the cabinet resolution as saying.

The directive further states: “Children below this age are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal accounts on social media platforms.”

Beyond account ownership, the UAE social media ban also limits how underage users can interact online. Children under 15 will be unable to access key platform features such as posting content, commenting, sharing material, joining public groups, participating in open channels or engaging in large-scale interactive spaces.

The decision places the UAE among a growing number of countries tightening regulations around young people’s access to digital platforms. Nations including Australia, Britain and Canada have introduced or announced similar measures aimed at protecting children online. Australia implemented a widely discussed ban on social media access for users under 16 in December, while Britain has recently unveiled comparable plans.

According to WAM, media and telecommunications regulators in the UAE have been granted authority to enforce the rules and act against platforms that fail to meet their obligations. Potential consequences include warnings, partial or full platform blocking, and other administrative sanctions.

The UAE social media ban reflects increasing global concern about children’s safety, privacy and wellbeing in the digital environment.

Do you think age-based restrictions on social media can effectively improve online safety for children?