UAE Bans Social Media for Children Under 15, Sets New Age Verification Rules

The United Arab Emirates has introduced a ban on social media use for children under 15. This move follows a similar decision in the UK, which set the age limit at 16. The UAE is the first Arab nation to implement such a restriction.

Key Highlights

• UAE bans social media for children under 15, first Arab country to do so.
• Ages 15 to 16 allowed with content controls and parental supervision features.
• Social media platforms must implement digital identity and AI age verification.
• Self-declared ages not accepted and underage accounts must be disabled.
• Companies have one year to comply with new regulations.

Key Details of the UAE Ban

Children under 15 are now prohibited from creating, using, or managing personal social media accounts in the UAE. They cannot post content, comment, share, or join public groups. The law aims to protect minors from online risks and exposure to inappropriate content.

For those aged 15 to 16, access to social media will be allowed but with strict controls. These include content filters suitable for their age, limits on interaction with unknown users, screen-time management tools, and mandatory parental supervision features.

Requirements for Social Media Companies

The new regulations require social media platforms to introduce robust age verification systems. Companies must use digital identity checks and AI-supported technologies to confirm users' ages. Self-declared ages will not be accepted as valid verification.

Platforms must also disable accounts previously created by children under 15. They are responsible for preventing users from bypassing age verification systems, though specific enforcement methods remain unclear.

Additionally, social media companies are prohibited from using children's personal data for targeted advertising or behavioral profiling. These measures aim to enhance privacy and safety for young users.

Implementation Timeline and Compliance

Social media companies have one year to comply with the new UAE regulations. During this period, they must update their systems to meet the new requirements and ensure that underage accounts are disabled.

The UAE's decision marks a significant step in regulating children's access to social media in the region. The government expects these measures will reduce online risks for minors and set a precedent for other countries in the Arab world.