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UAE bans social media for under 15: What the new age restriction means for users, parents
Social media platforms will be given up to 12 months to progressively implement the new standards, in coordination with relevant authorities
- PUBLISHED: Thu 18 Jun 2026, 1:06 PM UPDATED: Fri 19 Jun 2026, 8:42 PM
The UAE has issued a new resolution banning children under 15 from accessing social media platforms. However, children aged 15 and 16 will be permitted to access social media with restrictions.
Under a resolution approved on June 18, children under 15 will be prohibited from creating or using personal social media accounts or accessing their full features. The ban means they will not be able to post content, comment, share or join public groups, the government's media office said. Even if parents consent to their child accessing social media platforms, this will not constitute a valid exemption.
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Children aged 15 to 16 will be allowed regulated access to these platforms, subject to enhanced protective measures for their accounts. These measures include age-appropriate content classification and restriction, disabling high-risk features, regulating the duration of use, and providing parental control tools.
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Social media platforms in the UAE will be given up to 12 months to progressively implement the new standards, in coordination with relevant authorities. This applies to all social media websites, including Facebook, Instagram, X, Snapchat and Tik Tok.
Currently, platforms allow users to self-declare their age. This system is not considered a reliable method for verifying children's ages. Under the new rules, that will no longer be sufficient. Now, platforms will be required to use age-verification mechanisms to verify a child's digital identity.
They can use AI-supported technologies, such as biometric tools or other mechanisms approved by the Child Digital Safety Council, to ensure a high level of accuracy in determining user age. Verification mechanisms will be subject to regular review, and clear information will be provided to users on how they operate.
The UAE said the framework aligns with international efforts to strengthen online child protection while balancing digital access with safety.
According to a 2024 survey, children in the UAE spend about 3 hours daily on these platforms. Experts have noted that prolonged social media usage among children heightens challenges, including anxiety, attention difficulties, academic struggles, and, in certain instances, speech delays.
The UAE follows a host of other nations implementing similar laws regulating access to social media for children under the age of 16, including the UK, Australia and Malaysia. Experts have noted that social media platforms stimulate dopamine release in the brain, encouraging repeated engagement.
Shares, likes, and comments on these platforms activate the brain's reward centre, creating a sensation similar to the pleasure experienced during gambling or substance use, leading to continued user return.
