UAE to ban children under 15 from accessing social media platforms

The UAE Cabinet has approved a new resolution prohibiting children under the age of 15 from creating or using personal social media accounts. The move aims to promote child digital safety and address concerns about the negative impact of excessive social media use. According to a 2024 survey, children in the UAE spend an average of three hours daily on social media platforms, raising concerns among experts about increasing levels of anxiety, attention difficulties, academic challenges, and even speech delays in some cases. The UAE joins countries such as the UK, Australia, and Malaysia in implementing stricter regulations for children's online access.

Key Highlights of the New Rules

• Children under 15 will not be allowed to create or use personal social media accounts.

• Teenagers aged 15 to 16 will have regulated access with enhanced safety measures.

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

• The rules aim to create a safer digital environment for young users.

Enhanced Protection for Teen Users

Children between the ages of 15 and 16 will be permitted to use social media under stricter safeguards. These measures include age-appropriate content restrictions, limiting interactions with unknown users, regulating screen time, and providing parents with stronger control tools. The goal is to ensure that teenagers can access online platforms in a secure and age-appropriate manner.

AI-Based Age Verification to Be Introduced

To enforce the new rules, social media companies will no longer be allowed to rely on self-declared ages. Instead, platforms must implement advanced age verification systems using AI-powered technologies such as biometric tools or other methods approved by the Child Digital Safety Council.

Privacy and Data Protection Measures

The UAE has emphasized that age verification systems must comply with the highest standards of privacy and personal data protection.

Key Requirements Include:

• Minimising the collection of personal data.

• Ensuring secure processing of user information.

• Preventing data retention beyond necessary periods.

• Conducting regular reviews of verification systems.

• Providing clear information to users about how verification processes work.

The new regulations reflect the UAE's commitment to strengthening child digital safety while balancing technological innovation, privacy protection, and responsible social media usage among young people.

UAE bans social media access for children under 15, introducing stricter age verification and enhanced online safety measures. To get the latest news subscribe to Just Dubai!