The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, joining a growing list of countries including Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada introducing age-based restrictions amid rising concerns over child safety online.
The UAE Cabinet, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, approved the resolution, which prohibits anyone below 15 from creating, using or operating personal accounts on social media platforms.
The ban restricts access to social interaction, publishing, commenting, sharing and joining public groups or open channels.
The resolution applies to all social media platforms that enable users to create accounts or personal profiles, engage in social interaction, publish or share content, or that rely on algorithmic systems to display, rank or recommend content, whether free or paid.
It applies to all platforms whose services are available within the UAE or are directed at users in the country.
Children between the ages of 15 and 16 are permitted to use social media platforms on the condition that enhanced protective measures are applied to their accounts, including age-appropriate content classification, disabling high-risk features such as interaction with unknown users, regulation of usage time and duration, and the provision of parental control tools.
Notably, parental consent will not exempt under-15s from the prohibition.
Platforms are required to implement accurate and reliable age verification mechanisms, with self-declaration of age not accepted as a valid method of verification.
Social media companies have been given up to 12 months to bring their operations in line with the ruling. Platforms found to be non-compliant risk being blocked within the UAE.
The UAE’s move follows the United Kingdom’s announcement last week of a social media ban for under-16s, and Australia’s legislation that took effect in December 2025 setting the minimum age at 16.
Indonesia, Malaysia and Turkey have also introduced similar restrictions in 2026 as governments globally move to regulate children’s access to social media.
(The Whistler)
