UAE Becomes First Arab Nation to Ban Social Media for Under-15s

The United Arab Emirates has approved a Cabinet resolution establishing 15 as the minimum age for social media use, making it the first Arab country to implement such a restriction. The measure, approved on Thursday, June 18, 2026, prohibits children under 15 from creating, using, or operating personal social media accounts. These children will be unable to post content, comment, share material, or join public groups on any platform operating in the country.

Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will be permitted to use social media platforms, but only with enhanced safeguards in place. These protections include age-appropriate content filters, restrictions on interactions with unknown users, screen-time management tools, and mandatory parental supervision features. All social media companies operating in the UAE must implement robust age-verification methods, including digital identity checks and artificial intelligence-supported technologies. Self-declaration of age will not be accepted as valid verification.

Social media platforms have been given 12 months to comply with the new regulations. They must disable existing accounts created by children under 15, prevent users from circumventing age-verification systems, and refrain from using children's personal data for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling. Non-compliance may result in warnings, penalties, or partial or full blocking of platforms by telecommunications authorities.

The UAE government stated that the measures address growing concerns over children's exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive social media use, and the collection of personal data. The framework aligns with international efforts to strengthen digital child protection while balancing digital access with safety. This move follows similar restrictions implemented by other nations, including Australia, which became the first country to ban social media for under-16s in December 2025, and the United Kingdom, which announced a ban for under-16s in mid-June 2026. Other countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Canada, and France have also implemented or proposed similar restrictions.