UAE bans social media for children under 15

Social media ban on children under 15 in UAE

Mohan Sinha
20 Jun 2026, 08:39 GMT+10

The United Arab Emirates has introduced a new rule setting the minimum age for social media use at 15, becoming the first Arab country to do so.
All social media platforms in the UAE must use strong age-check systems, such as digital ID and AI tools. Simply stating your age will not be accepted.
The government said these steps aim to protect children from harmful content, unsafe online contact, excessive screen time, and the misuse of personal data.

DUBAI, U.A.E.: The United Arab Emirates has introduced a new rule setting the minimum age for social media use at 15, becoming the first Arab country to do so as governments try to deal with concerns about how social media affects children.

Under the rule announced on June 18, children under 15 are not allowed to create or use social media accounts. This means they cannot post, comment, share content, or join public groups.

Teenagers aged 15 and 16 can use social media, but with extra safety measures in place. These include controls on what content they see, limits on interacting with strangers, tools to manage screen time, and parental supervision.

The rules apply to all social media platforms in the UAE. Companies must use strong age-check systems, such as digital ID and AI tools. Simply stating your age will not be accepted.

Platforms must also remove accounts created by children under 15, prevent users from bypassing age checks, and not use children's data for targeted ads or behavioral tracking.

The government said these steps aim to protect children from harmful content, unsafe online contact, excessive screen time, and the misuse of personal data.

Social media companies have up to 12 months to follow the new rules.

The UAE said this policy aligns with global efforts to improve online safety for children while still allowing safe access to digital platforms. Other countries, including Australia and some in Europe, are also tightening rules on children's social media use due to concerns about mental health and safety.