UAE sets minimum age of 15 for social media use

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has set 15 as the minimum age for social media use, becoming the first Arab country to introduce such a restriction as governments increase scrutiny of online platforms’ impact on children.

Under a resolution approved on Thursday, children under 15 will not be allowed to create, use or operate personal social media accounts.

The restriction means underage users will not be able to post content, comment, share posts or join public groups, according to the government’s media office.

Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will be allowed to use social media platforms, but with additional safeguards. These include age-appropriate content controls, limits on interaction with unknown users, screen-time management tools and parental supervision features.

The rules apply to all social media platforms operating in the UAE.

Companies will be required to introduce age-verification systems, including digital identity checks and artificial intelligence-supported technologies. Self-declaration of age will not be accepted.

Platforms must also disable accounts created by children under 15, prevent users from bypassing age-verification measures and stop using children’s personal data for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling.

The government said the measures were aimed at reducing children’s exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive use of social media and misuse of personal data.

Social media companies will have up to 12 months to comply with the new regulations.

The UAE said the framework was in line with international efforts to strengthen online child protection while balancing digital access with safety.

Several countries, including Australia and others in Europe, have also moved to tighten rules on children’s use of social media amid concerns over mental health and online safety.