In a major step to enhance children’s digital safety, the UAE government has introduced new regulations governing social media use. Under the new rules, children under the age of 15 will not be allowed to create or operate personal accounts on social media platforms.
Speaking at a media briefing organized by the Child Digital Safety Council in Dubai, Minister of Family Affairs Sana bint Mohammed Suhail said the government’s objective is to provide children with a safe, balanced, and healthy digital environment, enabling them to benefit from modern technology while continuing to learn, innovate, and develop their skills.
She said the digital world has become an integral part of children’s lives, making it essential to introduce clear, age-appropriate regulations to ensure their safety. She added that the new policy also clarifies the shared responsibilities of the government, social media companies, and parents.
Under the new framework, children aged 15 to 16will be permitted to use social media, but they will be subject to special safety measures. These include restrictions on certain platform features, parental supervision tools, usage controls, and enhanced content monitoring.
Engineer Majed Sultan Al Mesmar , Director General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), said social media companies will be required to implement reliable age-verification systems. They will be given 12 months to fully comply with the new regulations.
According to the policy, age verification may be conducted through UAE Pass , government-issued identity cards, artificial intelligence-based age estimation, and government-approved age verification services. Self-declaration of age alone will not be accepted.
Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, said research shows that excessive use of social media can contribute to sleep disorders, psychological stress, anxiety, social isolation, and reduced attention spans among children. He stressed the importance of promoting balanced and responsible digital habits.
Meitha Majid Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of the National Media Authority, said national standards for age-appropriate media content will be developed to ensure children have access to safe, educational, and positive digital content.
Authorities emphasized that the government’s role will be limited to overseeing compliance with the regulations and that it will not monitor users’ personal accounts or online activities. The new policy also gives high priority to protecting children’s personal information and privacy.
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