UAE bans children under 15 from using social media

The UAE has become the first Arab country to introduce social media restrictions for children.

The Emirates has set a minimum age of 15 for social media use, creating a new framework to protect children online, state-run news agency Wam reported.

A resolution approved by UAE vice president and prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum bans children under 15 from creating, using or operating personal social media accounts.

It also prevents them from posting content, commenting, sharing or joining public groups and open channels.

Children aged 15 and 16 are allowed to use social media, subject to safeguards including age-appropriate content controls, restrictions on interactions with unknown users, limits on usage time and duration, and parental control tools.

The rules apply to all social media platforms operating in the UAE or directed at users in the country, the statement said.

Platforms will be required to monitor accounts created by children under 15 and take immediate action to suspend or deactivate them. Self-declaration of age will not be accepted as valid verification.

Social media companies will have up to 12 months to comply with the new regulations.

The resolution comes amid the growing use of social media by children and rising risks including exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe interactions and the collection of personal data.

Australia introduced a ban in December last year, while many European nations are considering tighter restrictions on children’s use of social media.

Further reading:

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• Turkey seeks to restrict young people’s social media access
• Gulf brands are entering the synthetic misinformation era