UAE Social Media Ban for Under-15s Sparks Global Debate on Child Online Safety
The United Arab Emirates has made global headlines after becoming the first Arab nation to officially ban children under the age of 15 from creating or operating personal social media accounts. The bold move places the country at the center of an intensifying worldwide conversation on how far governments should go to protect children in the digital age.
Approved by the UAE Cabinet, the new policy is designed to curb growing concerns around children’s exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying, predatory behaviour, excessive screen time, and the widespread collection of minors’ personal data by tech platforms. Authorities say the law reflects a stronger push to prioritise digital wellbeing over unrestricted access.
Under the new framework, social media companies will be directly responsible for enforcing the rules. Children under 15 will be barred from creating, using, or managing accounts, including activities such as posting content, commenting, sharing, joining groups, or interacting on open platforms. Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be allowed access, but under stricter safety measures such as content filtering, screen-time controls, and parental supervision tools.
The decision aligns the UAE with a growing international trend. Countries like Australia, United Kingdom, France, Norway, and the United States have all introduced or considered stricter regulations aimed at protecting minors online. These range from age verification systems to full or partial bans for younger users.
Industry experts say the UAE’s move could accelerate global pressure on tech companies to take stronger responsibility for age verification and child safety online. It also raises important questions for emerging digital economies, especially across Africa, where policymakers continue to balance the benefits of digital access with rising concerns about privacy, mental health, and online risks for young users.
source: techeconomy