UAE sets 15 as minimum age for social media use in landmark move

MUMBAI: The scroll now comes with a stop sign. In a landmark move to strengthen online safety for children, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has approved new regulations that set 15 as the minimum age for using social media platforms, becoming the first Arab nation to introduce such a requirement.

The new framework bars children under 15 from creating or operating personal social media accounts. They will also be prohibited from posting content, commenting, sharing material or joining public groups, as governments worldwide intensify efforts to make digital spaces safer for younger users.

For teenagers aged 15 and 16, access will still be permitted, but with tighter guardrails. Social media companies will be required to offer enhanced protections, including limits on interactions with unknown users, screen-time management tools and parental supervision features.

The regulations place significant responsibility on platforms, which must implement stronger age-verification systems using digital identity checks and AI-assisted technologies. Self-declared ages will no longer be considered sufficient proof, signalling a shift towards more robust compliance measures.

Companies will also be required to remove accounts belonging to children below the age threshold, prevent attempts to bypass verification systems and refrain from using minors’ personal data for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling.

The UAE government said the measures are aimed at reducing children’s exposure to harmful content, unsafe online interactions, excessive platform usage and risks associated with personal data collection.

The decision arrives amid a growing global debate around children’s digital wellbeing. Countries including Australia and several European nations have been exploring similar restrictions, reflecting increasing concern over the impact of social media on younger users.

Social media companies operating in the UAE have been given up to 12 months to align their systems and policies with the new requirements.

As screens become an ever-present part of childhood, the UAE’s move signals a broader shift in how governments view online safety placing accountability not just on users and parents, but also on the platforms themselves.