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UAE: More parents support kids for content creation as experts flag risks
As some of these children build online followings from a very young age, debates around consent, safety, and privacy have intensified
- PUBLISHED: Tue 20 Jan 2026, 10:23 AM
- By:
- Waad Barakat
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Children are no longer limited to family photos or occasional home videos. Across social media platforms, they are appearing in daily vlogs, brand partnerships, and monetised reels, often before they are old enough to fully understand what having an audience means.
As some of these children build online followings from a very young age, debates around consent, safety, and privacy have intensified.
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Some parents, however, argue that content creation reflects how the world is changing, with social media increasingly seen as a legitimate industry and career path.
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“We manage the filming schedule very carefully,” said Monera A., a content creator who initially shared videos about gentle parenting before her two children, aged 9 and 11, became regular features in her content.
“They enjoy being part of the videos, and when a clip that includes them performs better than one where I appear alone, they feel proud,” she said.
Monera explained that the decision was made jointly with her husband, based on the belief that social media has become part of everyday life.
“If it is managed properly, why not?” she said, adding that they try to keep the experience light and enjoyable rather than structured around performance or output.
Other parents see content creation not just as entertainment but as a potential long-term opportunity.
Bassam, who requested that his name be changed, said the shift in how children view careers played a role in his decision. “My children’s generation is very different from mine. They are more accepting of non-traditional career paths,” he said.
What began as a hobby, Bassam said, gradually became a financial plan. “They don’t know that the videos are generating income,” he explained.
“All the money is being saved for their future, whether they choose to continue as content creators or move in a different direction later.” He added that a key motivation was the fear of his children being “left behind” in a fast-changing digital world.
In the UAE, where the content creation industry is expected to continue expanding, authorities have introduced legal frameworks aimed at protecting children online.
A federal decree law on child digital safety focuses on safeguarding minors from digital risks and promoting responsible and age-appropriate use of technology, placing obligations on guardians and platforms to prioritise child protection.
Psychological impact on children
While parents emphasise supervision and good intentions, psychologists warn that early exposure to public validation can carry long-term risks.
Dr Mizan Mohamed, a child and adolescent psychologist, said parents should be aware of the psychological impact this exposure may have, particularly if a child’s sense of self-worth becomes linked to views and likes.
“If adults can develop anxiety around performance and audience reaction, children may be even more vulnerable,” he said. “From a young age, they can begin to connect their value to views and how complete strangers perceive them.”
Psychologists also warn that constant online exposure can erode a child’s sense of privacy at a time when identity is still forming. When daily moments, emotions, or routines are shared publicly, children may grow up without a clear boundary between what is personal and what is performative.
Over time, this can affect how they see themselves, with identity shaped less by internal experiences and more by audience reaction.
Experts say this early loss of privacy can make it harder for children to develop autonomy, experiment safely with self-expression, and later redefine who they are away from an online persona created before they were able to consent.
Experts stress that children may struggle to separate personal value from online attention, particularly when feedback is immediate and public.
Parents' perspective
Parents like Monera push back against claims that children featured in content are being exploited.
She said clear boundaries are in place, filming time is limited, and her children can opt out at any point. “For us, it is still storytelling about our life, just in a modern format,” she said.
Experts advise parents to set firm limits, safeguard earnings, and regularly reassess whether participation continues to serve the child’s best interests, rather than focusing solely on audience growth.
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.
