While social media bans are usually set for children under 16, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking a slightly different approach. The country has set a minimum age of 15 as a requirement for having a social media account.
With this decision, the UAE has become the first Arab country to implement a social media ban for minors. The measure is not just an age limit, but is also accompanied by strict, comprehensive controls. Children under 15 are completely prohibited from creating or using personal accounts, while social media platforms are given 12 months to ensure their systems comply with the new rules.
For teenagers aged 15 to 16, social media access is only allowed with additional conditions such as content filtering, screen time limits and parental controls. The measure emphasizes digital safety through more accurate age verification and monitoring of usage. At the same time, it shows the UAE's efforts to balance the needs of teenagers to connect in the digital space with the responsibility to protect them from inappropriate content and the risk of addiction, thus ensuring that the ban is effective.
In addition, the new rules also close the door for parents to give permission as a shortcut. Even with consent, children under 15 are still not allowed to use social media. Their personal data cannot be used for commercial purposes such as behavioral advertising. At the same time, platforms are required to use accurate age verification and close accounts that violate the terms.
