UAE sets minimum social media age at 15 with mandatory age verification

The United Arab Emirates has set a minimum age of 15 for social media use, becoming the first Arab country to introduce such a restriction as governments worldwide seek to address growing concerns over the impact of online platforms on children.

Under a Cabinet resolution approved on Thursday, children under the age of 15 will be prohibited from creating, using or operating personal social media accounts. According to the UAE Government Media Office, the restriction also prevents them from posting content, commenting, sharing material or joining public groups on social media platforms.

New nationwide framework for child digital safety

The decision, issued by the Cabinet chaired by Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, comes amid growing concerns over children's increasing use of social media and the digital risks associated with it, including exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive platform use and the collection of personal data.

According to Emirates 24/7, the resolution forms part of an integrated legislative framework covering the Child Rights Law, cybercrime legislation, personal data protection, media regulation and child digital safety.

The UAE government said the measures are intended to establish "an advanced model for child protection in the digital space", while balancing responsible access to modern technology with the highest standards of child safety.

It added that the framework reflects the country's proactive approach to developing legislation that keeps pace with digital transformation while placing child protection among its priorities.

Enhanced safeguards for teenagers aged 15 and 16

Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will be permitted to use social media platforms but will be subject to enhanced safeguards designed to create a safer online environment.

These measures include age-appropriate content classification and restrictions, disabling high-risk features such as interaction with unknown users, screen-time management tools, and parental control features.

The resolution states that parental consent alone will not exempt children from the restrictions. However, caregivers may configure account settings for children aged 15 and 16 using parental control tools provided by platforms, provided those settings do not violate the prescribed safeguards.

The resolution also states that it aims to encourage "healthier and more balanced digital habits" while taking into account the different developmental stages of children and adolescents.

Platforms required to introduce robust age verification

The rules apply to all social media platforms that enable users to create accounts or personal profiles, interact socially, publish or share content, or use algorithmic systems to display, rank or recommend content, whether free or paid. They cover all platforms operating in, or directing services to, users in the UAE.

Platforms will be required to implement robust age-verification measures, including digital identity verification, artificial intelligence-supported technologies such as biometric tools, or other mechanisms approved by the Child Digital Safety Council.

Self-declaration of age will not be accepted as a valid method of verification.

The resolution requires platforms to ensure verification systems achieve a high level of accuracy while adhering to child privacy and personal data protection standards by minimising data collection, securing processing and avoiding data retention beyond what is strictly necessary.

Age-verification systems must also undergo regular reviews and audits, while platforms must provide users with clear information on how the systems operate to promote trust and transparency.

Accounts to be disabled and advertising restrictions imposed

Social media companies will be required to monitor personal accounts created by children under the age of 15 in breach of the regulations and immediately suspend or disable those accounts.

Platforms must also prevent users from circumventing age-verification systems and refrain from targeting children with personalised advertising based on tracking or behavioural profiling. They are also prohibited from exploiting or processing children's personal data for commercial purposes linked to monitoring their digital activities.

In addition, platforms will be required to provide parental control tools and educational materials for children and caregivers, conduct regular child digital safety risk assessments, and submit periodic reports to the relevant authorities.

The resolution also places responsibilities on caregivers, including ensuring children do not access platforms in violation of the rules, refraining from bypassing age-verification mechanisms, supervising children's permitted online activities, and promoting awareness of digital risks and safe online practices.

Oversight and implementation

Oversight of compliance will be shared between the National Media Authority and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, each within its respective jurisdiction.

The authorities will be empowered to take enforcement measures against non-compliant platforms, including issuing warnings, imposing administrative penalties, or partially or fully blocking platforms through a graduated enforcement approach.

The Child Digital Safety Council will be responsible for assessing risks associated with children's access to social media, proposing mitigation measures in coordination with federal and local authorities, overseeing implementation of the resolution and continuously developing the country's child digital safety framework.

Transition period and international context

Social media companies will have up to 12 months to comply with the new regulations, with the transitional period intended to allow technical and regulatory readiness in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The UAE government said the framework aligns with leading international efforts to strengthen online child protection while balancing digital access with safety.

Several countries, including Australia and others across Europe, have also moved to tighten restrictions on children's use of social media amid growing concerns over its impact on mental health and online safety.

The UAE said the new framework establishes a forward-looking model that combines digital safety, family empowerment, platform responsibility and practical enforcement, while reinforcing the country's commitment to building a safe and sustainable digital society.