If you’re a parent or guardian living in the UAE, here’s an update worth your attention. The UAE Cabinet has issued a new resolution setting the minimum age for social media use at 15. The rule is part of a wider framework that includes the Child Rights Law, cybercrime laws, data protection, and media regulation, all aimed at keeping children safe online.
Quick takeaway: If your child is under 15, they are not allowed to have their own social media account under this new rule.
Here’s what parents and guardians in the UAE need to know.
Contents
The Key Rules
- Minimum age for social media use is now 15.
- Children under 15 cannot create, use, or run social media accounts, or access features like posting, commenting, sharing, or joining public groups and channels.
- Teens aged 15 to 16 can use social media with extra protections: content limits, blocked contact with strangers, time controls, and parental tools.
- Parental consent does not override these rules. The age limits and restrictions still apply.
- Platforms must verify users’ real ages with reliable methods. Self-declared birthdates are no longer accepted, and children’s data must stay private and secure.
The rules apply to all social media platforms available in the UAE or aimed at users in the country.
What Social Media Platforms Must Do
- Suspend or shut down accounts of children under 15 right away.
- Prevent users from bypassing age checks.
- Stop targeting children with personalized ads or misusing their data for tracking.
- Provide parental control tools, awareness materials, and regular safety reports to authorities.
What Parents and Caregivers Should Do
The resolution also sets clear responsibilities for parents and caregivers:
- Don’t help children break the rules or get around age checks.
- Supervise your child’s permitted online activity.
- Use parental controls to manage teen accounts within the rules.
- Talk to your kids about online risks and safe habits.
Enforcement and Timeline
The National Media Authority and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority will oversee compliance. They can issue warnings, fines, or block platforms that don’t follow the rules.
The Child Digital Safety Council will keep assessing risks and coordinating with other authorities. Platforms have up to 12 months to comply, so the changes will roll out gradually.
UAE Cabinet issues resolution regulating children's access to social media platforms#WamNews https://t.co/vGqW0ktswb pic.twitter.com/7OsdQW46RH
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) June 18, 2026
