UAE becomes first Arab country to tighten online safety rules, set 15 as social media age threshold

New Delhi ( Raghwendra Pratap Singh) : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Cabinet has approved a resolution setting 15 years as the minimum age for children to access and use social media platforms. With this, it has become the first Arab country to introduce such a measure, reported news agency Reuters.

The new regulations prohibit children below 15 from opening or operating personal social media accounts and limit their use of specific features on these platforms.

The rules introduce several protections, including age-based content controls, restrictions on contact with unfamiliar users, limits on time spent online, and tools that allow parents to monitor their children’s activity.

According to a 2024 survey referenced by Khaleej Times, children across the UAE spend roughly three hours daily on social media, reflecting the growing influence of these platforms on young users. The UAE’s move reflects a broader global trend, with countries including the UK, Australia and Malaysia taking steps to regulate social media access for children.