The United Arab Emirates has set a minimum age of 15 for social media use, becoming the first Arab ​country to introduce such a restriction as governments worldwide seek to ‌address growing concerns over the impact of online platforms on children.

Under a resolution approved on Thursday, children under 15 will be prohibited from creating, using or operating ​personal social media accounts. The ban means they will not ​be able to post content, comment, share or join public ⁠groups, the government’s media office said.

Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will ​be allowed to use social media platforms subject to enhanced safeguards, including ​age-appropriate content controls, restrictions on interaction with unknown users, screen-time management tools and parental supervision features.

The rules apply to all social media platforms operating in the UAE and ​require companies to implement robust age-verification measures, including digital identity checks ​and artificial intelligence-supported technologies. Self-declaration of age will not be accepted as a valid ‌form ⁠of verification.

Platforms must also disable accounts created by children under 15, prevent users from circumventing age-verification systems and refrain from using children’s personal data for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling.

The government said the measures were designed ​to address concerns ​over children’s exposure ⁠to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, excessive social media use and the collection of personal data.

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

The UAE said the framework aligns with international efforts to strengthen online child protection while balancing digital access with safety.

Several countries, including Australia and ⁠others ​in Europe, have moved to tighten restrictions on ​children’s use of social media amid mounting concerns about its effects on mental health and ​online safety.

Source: Reuters

--Agencies