UAE bans social media for children under 15; first GCC nation to implement decision

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a social media ban for children under the age of 15. The decision was approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Under the new rules, children below 15 years of age will not be allowed to create profiles on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. They will also be prohibited from accessing the full features of such platforms, including social interaction, publishing, commenting, sharing, joining public groups, open channels, or any large-scale interactive spaces No exemption from this ban will be granted, even with a parental consent letter. Although children between the ages of 15 and 16 are allowed to use accounts, they will be subject to strict restrictions.

Children will not be able to access social media simply by entering their date of birth. Social media companies will be required to introduce AI-based age verification systems and government-approved digital identity checks. The government has given social media companies up to 12 months to comply with the new regulations.

Countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia have also introduced laws to limit children's use of social media. Malaysia and Indonesia are considering similar measures. In India, the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have announced plans to introduce stricter rules for children's social media use.