The United Arab Emirates has introduced a minimum age of 15 for social media use, becoming the first country in the Arab world to impose such a restriction amid growing global concerns about the impact of digital platforms on children.
Under regulations approved on Thursday, children under the age of 15 will no longer be permitted to create or operate personal social media accounts.
The rules mean they will be prohibited from posting content, commenting, sharing material or joining public groups, according to authorities.
Young people aged 15 and 16 will still be able to access social media, but only under stricter safeguards. These include controls on the content they can view, limits on interaction with unknown users, screen-time management tools and parental supervision features.
Officials said the aim is to strike a balance between allowing access to digital platforms and reducing potential harm.
The new regulations apply to all social media companies operating in the UAE, which will now be required to introduce robust systems to verify users' ages.
Measures include digital identity checks and the use of artificial intelligence-supported tools. Simple self-declaration of age will no longer be accepted.
Platforms must also ensure that accounts created by children under 15 are removed and that users cannot bypass verification systems. In addition, companies will be prohibited from using children's personal data for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling.
Authorities said the policy is designed to address a range of risks associated with social media use, including exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive screen time and the misuse of personal data.
The government said the move forms part of a broader effort to improve child safety online while maintaining access to digital platforms in a controlled and age-appropriate manner.
Technology companies have been given up to 12 months to comply fully with the new requirements.
The UAE's decision reflects a broader international trend, with countries across Europe and Australia also moving to tighten restrictions on children's use of social media amid growing concerns about mental health and online safety.
As governments increasingly focus on regulating digital environments, the UAE's approach represents one of the most comprehensive attempts in the region to address the challenges social media poses for younger users.
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