UAE Bans Social Media for Children Under 15

The Government of the United Arab Emirates issued Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2026 on June 18, 2026, establishing a minimum age of 15 for the use of social media platforms. This makes the UAE the first Arab nation to implement such a ban, which prohibits children under 15 from creating accounts, posting content, or joining public groups, regardless of parental consent. Children aged 15 to 16 may access platforms subject to enhanced safeguards, including parental supervision and screen-time limits.

Social media companies, specifically targeting platforms like TikTok, X, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, have a 12-month transitional period to comply. They must replace self-declaration with robust age-verification tools such as AI, biometrics, and digital identity checks. Platforms are further prohibited from using children's data for behavioral profiling or targeted advertising and must remove existing accounts belonging to children under 15. Non-compliant companies face administrative penalties or partial to full blocking within the country.

Enforcement is managed by the National Media Authority and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, while the Child Digital Safety Council assesses risks and approves verification mechanisms. The government stated the move is based on research regarding cognitive development and the need to protect children from harmful content and mental health issues. The policy has since prompted legal experts in Kuwait to call for similar legislation. Internationally, the United Kingdom announced a similar ban for children under 16 to take effect in Spring 2027, though UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that such bans might push children toward riskier online spaces.