UAE Strengthens Digital Safety with Social Media Ban for Children Under 15

Dubai has enacted a significant measure to enhance digital safety for minors, prohibiting children under the age of 15 from creating or managing social media accounts. This decision follows the issuance of Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2026, aimed at ensuring that social media platforms are accountable for preventing underage access.

Overview of the New Resolution

The Cabinet Resolution, issued on June 17, establishes a minimum age of 15 years for social media usage. Children below this age are barred from several activities, including:

• Creating personal social media accounts.
• Operating existing accounts.
• Accessing the full interactive features of social media platforms.

Article 32 (b) explicitly outlines that these restrictions include joining public groups and participating in large online communities. Notably, parents are not permitted to grant permission to bypass these regulations.

Regulations for Ages 15 to 16

Children aged 15 to 16 may create social media accounts, but platforms are required to implement additional protective measures, including:

• Content Restrictions: Platforms must filter or restrict harmful and age-inappropriate content.
• Limited Interaction with Strangers: Companies must minimize interactions with unknown users.
• Screen-Time Controls: Tools must be provided to limit access times and restrict usage during late hours.
• Parental Supervision Tools: Parents must have the ability to monitor account settings and adjust privacy controls.
• Restricting High-Risk Features: Platforms may need to disable or limit features such as unrestricted private messaging and open live-streaming.

Applicability of the Resolution

The resolution applies to all social media platforms that allow users to:

• Create accounts or personal profiles.
• Engage in social interactions.
• Publish or share content.
• Utilize algorithmic systems for content display or recommendations.

This includes companies operating within the UAE, irrespective of their geographic location.

Rationale Behind the Implementation

The primary objective of the resolution is to bolster children’s digital safety and foster a secure online environment. Key concerns addressed include:

• Exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate content.
• Interactions with unknown users.
• Risks associated with unrestricted private messaging and live streaming.
• The need to prevent exploitation and exposure to digital risks.
• Protection of personal data and restrictions on behavioral advertising.

The resolution mandates that social media companies take greater responsibility for safeguarding young users.

Age Verification Mechanisms

To ensure accurate age verification, the resolution outlines various methods, including:

• Government digital identity systems.
• Scanning of official identity documents.
• AI-based age estimation technology.
• Utilization of licensed age-verification providers.

The law specifies that merely entering a birth date or self-declaring an age will not suffice.

Timeline for Implementation

Social media platforms are granted up to one year to gradually implement the new regulations while collaborating with relevant authorities to ensure compliance.

Accountability of Social Media Platforms

The resolution details several responsibilities for social media platforms, including:

1. Age Verification Methods: Companies must implement reliable verification methods and limit data collection solely for age verification, prohibiting the retention of biometric data.

2. Blocking Underage Accounts: Existing accounts belonging to underage users must be identified and suspended.

3. Refraining from Targeting Children with Ads: Platforms must avoid directing advertisements to children based on tracking and behavioral profiling.

4. Supporting Parents and Children: Social media platforms are required to integrate digital awareness tools aimed at promoting safe usage among children and caregivers.

5. Compliance Reporting: Platforms must conduct regular assessments of digital safety risks and report their compliance efforts to the relevant authorities.

The enforcement of this resolution will be overseen by the UAE’s National Media Authority, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), and the Child Digital Safety Council.

As reported by www.emirates247.com.

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Published on 2026-06-23 17:31:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk