LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a nationwide ban on social media use by children under 15, requiring platforms to remove underage accounts or face penalties under new regulations aimed at strengthening online child protection.
The new social media policy, approved by the UAE cabinet and announced by the official WAM news agency on Thursday, prohibits children under the age of 15 from creating or operating personal accounts on social media platforms.
Joining other nations in tightening rules on children’s access to social media, authorities have given social platforms a 12-month transition period to comply with the new requirements.
Companies that fail to identify and disable accounts belonging to underage users could face sanctions, including partial or full restrictions on their services.
“The resolution sets the minimum age for social media use at 15 years,” WAM stated, adding that “children below this age are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal accounts on social media platforms.”
The move follows similar restrictions introduced or proposed in countries such as Australia, Britain, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, and several European nations.
However, the UAE is the first Arab country to adopt such a measure.
Authorities said the regulation is designed to address growing concerns about children’s mental health, cyberbullying, online predators, excessive screen time, and addictive digital behaviour.
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Furthermore, the policy limits access for under-15 users to major interactive features of social media platforms, including public groups, open channels, commenting, publishing, and content sharing.
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be allowed to use social media, but under stricter safeguards, including content controls and limits on usage time.
The resolution also gives media and telecommunications regulators the authority to enforce compliance.
According to WAM, regulators may issue warnings, impose administrative penalties, or order the partial or complete blocking of platforms that fail to comply.
Parents and caregivers have also been assigned responsibility for ensuring children do not bypass age-verification measures.
The regulation states that “Parental consent shall not constitute a valid exemption.”
While supporters argue the restrictions will help protect children online, critics have raised concerns about enforcement challenges and the possibility of pushing young users into less regulated digital spaces.
Ultimately, the policy marks a significant shift in the UAE’s digital governance framework and reflects a broader global push to strengthen online safety protections for children.
