UAE Cabinet Bans Social Media Accounts for Children Under 15 in Major Digital Safety Crackdown Initiative

The UAE Cabinet has issued a new resolution introducing sweeping regulations on children’s access to social media platforms, setting the minimum age for account creation and use at 15 years.

Under the new framework, children below 15 will not be permitted to create personal social media accounts or access the full features of such platforms.

The resolution provides a transitional implementation period of up to 12 months, allowing platforms to gradually align their systems with the new requirements in coordination with relevant authorities to ensure full technical and regulatory compliance.

For users aged between 15 and 16, the rules allow only controlled and age-appropriate access. This includes restrictions on content exposure, limited interaction features, regulated screen time, and mandatory parental controls to ensure safer online engagement.

Social media companies will also be required to introduce robust and reliable age verification systems. In addition, they must actively monitor accounts that do not comply with the rules and take immediate corrective action where violations are identified.

Importantly, the resolution states that parental consent cannot override or bypass the restrictions, meaning permission from guardians will not exempt minors from the age-based limitations.

The new policy also places a strict ban on the use or processing of children’s personal data for commercial purposes, particularly data collected through tracking their online behaviour for advertising or business use.

Alongside regulatory measures, the framework emphasises shared responsibility within families. Caregivers are expected to actively supervise children’s digital activity and promote awareness of safe and responsible internet usage.

The resolution further aims to equip families with practical tools and guidance to help children develop healthier and more mindful digital habits.

Social media platforms have been given up to one year to fully implement the new rules while working closely with authorities to ensure compliance across systems and operations.

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