On June 18, the UAE cabinet declared the official regulation of under 15s access to social media platforms. However, social media platforms have been granted a 12-month transitional period to comply with the new resolution.
The resolution applies to social media platforms available in the UAE or directed at users in the country, including platforms that allow users to create accounts, interact with others, publish or share content, or receive algorithm-based content recommendations.
What are children under 15 restricted from?
Children below 15 will be prohibited from creating or using personal social media accounts. They are also banned from accessing features on the platforms such as commenting, sharing content, posting, and joining public groups, open channels or large-scale interactive spaces.
However, children between the ages of 15 and 16 will have regulated access to platforms, with age-appropriate content, restricted interaction, screen time tools, and parental controls.
Who does the resolution apply to?
The rules apply to all social media platforms whose services are available in the UAE or directed at users in the country, including Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and X.
This includes free or paid platforms that allow users to create accounts or personal profiles, engage in social interaction, publish or share content, or use algorithmic systems to display, rank or recommend content.
How will platforms verify users ages?
Platforms will be obligated to “implement accurate and reliable age verification mechanisms,” as stated by the UAE government media office. This could include AI technologies or digital identity verification.
Does parental consent allow children under 15 to use social media?
No. The resolution states that parental consent will not be accepted as an exemption from the prohibitions or restrictions.
Parents and caregivers may configure the accounts of children aged 15 to 16 through parental control tools, but these settings must not go against the restrictions set out in the resolution.
What must social media platforms do?
Platforms should also “adhere to the highest standards of child privacy and personal data protection.” According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), all social media platforms are also required to monitor any personal accounts made by under 15s. These platforms are expected to suspend or disable these accounts.
Social media platforms must introduce accurate age verification mechanisms. These may include digital identity verification, AI-supported technologies such as biometric tools, or other mechanisms approved by the Child Digital Safety Council.
Platforms must also ensure that age verification systems protect children’s privacy, minimise data collection, secure data processing and avoid keeping data for longer than necessary.
What are parents and caregivers responsible for?
The resolution places responsibility on caregivers to supervise children’s permitted digital activity and prevent children from using platforms in violation of the rules.
Caregivers are also expected to avoid helping children bypass age verification systems and to promote awareness of digital risks and safe online practices.
Who will supervise compliance?
Oversight will be handled by the National Media Authority and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, each within its area of responsibility.
The authorities may take action in cases of non-compliance, including warnings, partial or full blocking of platforms, and administrative penalties.
What is the role of the Child Digital Safety Council?
The Child Digital Safety Council will assess risks linked to children’s access to social media platforms and propose measures to address them.
It will also coordinate with relevant federal and local authorities to support the implementation of the resolution and the continued development of the child digital safety framework.
When will the rules take effect?
Social media platforms have been granted a transitional period of up to 12 months to bring their operations into compliance with the resolution.
During this period, platforms must coordinate with the competent authorities to ensure technical and regulatory readiness.
Why has the UAE introduced the resolution?
The resolution comes amid concerns about children’s use of social media, including exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe interactions, personal data collection and excessive usage.
It forms part of a wider legislative framework covering child rights, cybercrime, personal data protection, media regulation and child digital safety.
The aim is to provide families with a framework to guide children’s digital activity while placing clearer responsibilities on platforms and caregivers.
