The United Arab Emirates set a minimum social media age of 15 on Thursday, becoming the first Arab country to impose such a restriction.
A cabinet resolution requires platforms to disable underage accounts within 12 months or face penalties. The move follows similar bans in Australia, Britain and Canada.
What age has the UAE banned social media for?
The UAE has banned social media use for children under 15, according to a cabinet resolution announced Thursday. Platforms must identify and disable accounts belonging to underage users. Companies that fail to comply within the 12-month transition period risk fines or being blocked in the country entirely.
What does the new rule prohibit?
Children below 15 are barred from creating, using or operating personal social media accounts under the resolution. The official WAM news agency, citing the cabinet order, said the rule also blocks access to core platform features for this age group. These include social interaction, publishing, commenting, sharing and joining public groups, open channels or other large-scale interactive spaces.
How will the UAE enforce the social media ban?
The UAE's media and telecommunications regulators have been given authority to take all necessary measures against platforms that fail to comply. According to WAM, these measures include formal warnings, partial or full blocking of the platform, and administrative penalties. The 12-month transition period gives companies time to build in age verification systems before enforcement begins.
Which other countries have banned social media for minors?
The UAE joins a growing list of nations restricting children's social media access. Australia introduced a world-first ban for under-16s in December, and Britain announced its own restriction this week. Canada has also moved toward similar measures, signaling a broader global shift toward stricter youth protections online.
