UAE Sets Minimum Age of 15 for Social Media Use
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the first Arab country to set a legal minimum age for social media use, approving a new law that requires users to be at least 15 years old.
Under the new regulations, it is prohibited for children under 15 to create, use, or operate personal social media accounts. Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will be permitted to use the platforms but under strict protective measures. These include age-appropriate content controls, prohibitions on interacting with unknown users, screen-time management tools, and features for parental supervision.
The law applies to all social media companies operating in the UAE, mandating them to implement robust age verification systems, such as digital ID checks and AI-powered technologies. Platforms are also required to block accounts created by underage users and are forbidden from using children’s personal data for targeted advertising or profiling.
The UAE government stated the measures are designed to address growing concerns about children’s exposure to inappropriate content, online safety, and the mental health impacts of excessive social media use.
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Updated: 6:26 AM PKT — June 19, 2026
The United Arab Emirates has given social media platforms a 12-month transition period to comply with its new law setting a minimum user age of 15. Companies that fail to implement robust age verification and disable accounts of users under the age limit risk being blocked in the country.
The move makes the UAE the first Arab nation to legally restrict social media access for minors, joining a growing list of countries including Australia, Britain, and Canada that have taken similar measures over concerns about mental health and cyber-bullying. The regulations also specify that children under 15 are barred from all interactive features such as publishing, commenting, and joining public groups.
Updated: 5:06 AM PKT — June 19, 2026
Further details on the UAE’s new social media law clarify its objectives and requirements for platforms. The government stated the measures aim to address concerns over children viewing inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive social media use, and personal data collection.
The law explicitly requires platforms to prevent users from bypassing age verification systems and prohibits them from using children’s personal data for targeted advertising or profiling. These measures align the UAE with a growing number of countries, including in Australia and Europe, that are tightening restrictions on children’s social media use due to mental health and online safety concerns.
