The United Arab Emirates has approved a new national policy regulating social media use, introducing age-based restrictions aimed at strengthening online safety for children.
According to the Government Media Office, the policy prohibits children under the age of 15 from creating or operating personal social media accounts across digital platforms.
Child Safety at the Core of the Policy
Emirati authorities said the decision is designed to protect minors from online risks such as harmful content, cyberbullying, exploitation, and excessive digital exposure. The policy also seeks to promote responsible and age-appropriate use of social media technologies.
Under the new framework, access to social media platforms for children below 15 will be restricted, and minors will not be allowed to use the full range of platform features available to adult users.
Platform Accountability and Digital Responsibility
Officials emphasized that the policy aligns with broader efforts to regulate digital spaces and ensure that technology companies uphold safeguards for younger users. While enforcement mechanisms and compliance requirements are expected to be detailed separately, the move signals increased regulatory oversight of online platforms operating in the UAE.
Part of a Wider Digital Governance Strategy
The new social media rules form part of the UAE’s wider strategy to modernize digital governance while prioritizing public welfare, particularly for children and families.
Authorities said the policy balances innovation with responsibility, ensuring that technological growth does not come at the expense of child safety.
The decision reflects a growing global trend toward tighter regulation of social media use among minors, as governments respond to mounting concerns over the psychological, social, and developmental impact of digital platforms on children.
