UAE Sets Minimum Age of 15 for Social Media Use, Introduces Mandatory Age Verification
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced new regulations that set the minimum age for social media use at 15 years, becoming the first Arab country to introduce such a nationwide restriction aimed at enhancing online safety for children.
Under the new rules, children under the age of 15 will not be allowed to create or operate personal accounts on social media platforms. The measures are part of broader efforts to protect young users from harmful online content, privacy risks, and unsafe digital interactions.
New Rules for Social Media Users
According to the UAE government, individuals under 15 years of age will be prohibited from:
- Creating personal social media accounts
- Posting or sharing content
- Commenting on public posts
- Joining public groups and communities
The regulations apply to all social media platforms operating within the UAE.
Additional Safeguards for Teenagers
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be allowed to use social media, but platforms must provide enhanced protection measures, including:
- Age-appropriate content controls
- Parental supervision tools
- Screen-time management features
- Restrictions on interactions with unknown users
These safeguards are intended to create a safer online environment while allowing responsible access to digital platforms.
Mandatory Age Verification Required
A key feature of the new framework is the introduction of strict age-verification requirements. Social media companies will be required to implement reliable verification systems, which may include:
- Digital identity verification
- AI-supported age-check technologies
- Other secure authentication methods
The UAE government stated that simple self-declaration of age will no longer be considered sufficient for account creation.
Responsibilities for Social Media Platforms
Under the new regulations, social media companies must:
- Disable accounts belonging to children under 15
- Prevent users from bypassing age-verification systems
- Protect children’s personal information
- Avoid using minors’ data for targeted advertising or behavioral profiling
Companies will be given up to 12 months to fully comply with the new requirements.
Focus on Online Child Safety
Officials said the regulations aim to reduce children’s exposure to inappropriate content, online risks, excessive screen time, and privacy concerns. The initiative also aligns with growing international efforts to strengthen digital safety standards for young internet users.
