UAE: Father ordered to pay Dh3,000 after son threatens man online; parents' role explained

A civil court in Al Ain has ordered the guardian of a minor to pay Dh3,000 in compensation to a young man after the latter was threatened by the minor on Snapchat, reported local newspaper Emarat al Youm.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the minor’s father, seeking Dh50,000 in damages, citing harm caused by threatening messages sent via Snapchat. Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial, and Administrative Claims assessed the situation and awarded a lower compensation of Dh3,000 for the emotional and moral harm suffered by the plaintiff.

The court stressed that according to the UAE’s Code of Civil Transactions, any proven harm caused by unlawful acts entitles the victim to compensation. It confirmed that the minor had indeed used abusive language, implicitly threatening the plaintiff and causing reputational and emotional damage.

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Experts weigh in

Legal experts told Khaleej Times the ruling underscores the accountability of parents and guardians in cases involving minors, especially where cybercrimes and social media misconduct are concerned.

Ahmed Rashed, a legal consultant based in Dubai, said: "This case is a clear example of how civil liability is linked to parental responsibility. Under UAE law, guardians are accountable for unlawful acts committed by their minor children. The fact that the threat was communicated digitally brings into play not just civil law, but also elements of the cybercrime legislation."

Rashed referred to Article 20 of Federal Law No. 5 of 2020 on Combating Cybercrimes, which criminalises threats, blackmail, and other offences committed using electronic means.

"The UAE has clear provisions against blackmail and electronic threats," he noted. "Article 42 states that even if the threat is implicit, as in this case, it can still attract significant penalties, including imprisonment and fines ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh500,000. Even though this case was settled at the civil compensation level, the underlying criminal conviction set the foundation for the civil claim."

Mona Al Hashmi, a senior lawyer specialising in cybercrime and civil liability, added, "Social media misconduct is taken very seriously here. Public prosecutors in Abu Dhabi have consistently reported a rise in cases involving online harassment, threats, and violations of privacy. This judgment sends a clear message that parents must supervise their children’s online activities."

Al Hashmi also pointed out that UAE residents have several channels to report cyber abuse.

"You can file a complaint at your nearest police station or via dedicated platforms like Dubai Police’s eCrime service, the Ministry of Interior’s Cybercrime Reporting Portal, or even through hotlines such as 999," she explained. "Victims are not without recourse. The law is strict, but it’s also protective."

A growing trend

The UAE’s cybercrime laws provide stringent penalties for online misconduct, including Article 43, which penalises online insults and defamation with fines between Dh250,000 and Dh500,000, alongside imprisonment.

Legal analysts say as more daily interactions move online, cases of defamation, threats, and extortion via platforms like Snapchat, WhatsApp, and Instagram are rising, and both civil and criminal courts are fully equipped to deal with them.

"It’s not just about punishing the offender," Al Hashmi said. "It’s also about making sure victims feel protected and compensated for the harm they suffer, even if the perpetrator is a minor."

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• Abu Dhabi

Waad Barakat

Staff Writer

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waad@khaleejtimes.com

Waad Barakat is a Special Correspondent covering security topics, from law enforcement to local courts. With a keen eye for human interest stories, she hopes to blend it all with unique Gen Z-inspired content.