The UAE government has set the minimum age for children to use social media at 15, a decision aimed at enhancing child safety in the digital space and regulating access to online platforms.

According to the UAE Cabinet resolution, children under the age of 15 will not be permitted to access social media platforms. This decision is part of the UAE's new framework to protect children from cyber risks and inappropriate online content.

The implementation of the new standards for social media platforms will be carried out in phases. These platforms have a maximum of 12 months to coordinate with relevant authorities and prepare the necessary technical and regulatory requirements to implement the decision.

This move follows the UAE Federal Law on Child Digital Safety, which established a comprehensive framework to protect children from harmful content, online abuse, privacy violations, and the inappropriate use of digital services. The law covers digital platforms, social media, smart applications, search engines, online games, live streaming services, and online video services.

Under this framework, digital platforms are required to implement age verification mechanisms, default privacy settings, age-appropriate access control tools, inappropriate content filtering, and restrictions on targeted advertising. Additionally, guardians are required to monitor children's digital activities and refrain from creating accounts on platforms that are not age-appropriate.

The UAE stated that the goal of this policy is not to restrict children's digital presence, but to create a safer and more age-appropriate online environment, a topic that has become a central pillar of digital policymaking globally in recent months.