UAE bans social media accounts for children under 15

Published on: July 2, 2026 1:00 PM

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced new regulations prohibiting children under the age of 15 from creating, using or operating personal social media accounts as part of efforts to strengthen online child safety.

Under the new rules, children younger than 15 will no longer be permitted to access social media platforms, even with parental or guardian consent. The policy removes previous exemptions that allowed parents to authorise account creation for minors.

To enforce the regulations, social media companies will be required to introduce Digital ID verification and artificial intelligence-powered age verification systems. These technologies are intended to accurately confirm users’ ages before granting access to online platforms.

The UAE government has warned that companies failing to prevent underage users from accessing their services could face financial penalties, regulatory measures or operational restrictions. Authorities said digital platforms are expected to fully comply with the new requirements within the specified implementation period.

In addition to preventing new registrations, social media companies will also be required to identify and deactivate existing accounts belonging to children under the age of 15. Platforms have been given a 12-month transition period to introduce the necessary technical systems and complete the required operational changes.

According to Arab media reports, the UAE Cabinet approved the regulations as part of broader initiatives to create a safer digital environment for children. Officials said the policy is intended to reduce children’s exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying, online exploitation and privacy risks.

The move reflects growing international efforts to strengthen online protections for minors as governments around the world introduce stricter regulations for digital platforms. By requiring stronger identity verification and age-checking systems, UAE authorities aim to ensure that social media companies play a more active role in protecting young users.

Officials believe the new framework will improve online safety while encouraging technology companies to adopt higher standards of accountability and child protection across their digital services.