The United Arab Emirates has become the first Arab country to introduce a major age restriction on social media use, setting the minimum age at 15 years. Under the new rules, children below 15 will not be allowed to create or operate personal social media accounts, while older teenagers will face additional safety protections.
The regulation requires social media platforms to strengthen age verification systems and prevent children from bypassing restrictions. Authorities have also raised concerns about children's exposure to harmful content, online risks, data privacy issues and addictive digital habits.
A Growing Global Movement Against Early Social Media Use
The UAE’s move comes as several countries are reconsidering how children interact with digital platforms.
Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide ban preventing children under 16 from holding social media accounts on major platforms. The rules require platforms to enforce age restrictions.
France has moved toward stronger limits for younger users, including rules requiring parental consent for children under 15 to access social media.
The UK has announced plans to restrict social media access for users under 16, following concerns about online harms and the effects of addictive platform features.
Several other european countries including Denmark, Germany and Italy are also considering or introducing age limits, parental consent requirements, and stronger child safety rules for online platforms.
Even, Indonesia and Malaysia have also introduced and moved toward stricter rules for children’s social media access, including age verification measures.
The governments argue that social media companies have not done enough to protect young users from risks such as cyberbullying, harmful trends, unwanted contact and excessive screen dependency.
Why Are Governments Concerned?
Health experts have increasingly highlighted the relationship between heavy digital use and youth well-being.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that problematic social media use among adolescents increased from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022 in data from its European region, raising concerns about digital habits and mental health.
Research and public health advisories have linked excessive screen use with problems including disrupted sleep, reduced physical activity and possible effects on emotional well-being.
The Debate: Protection Or Restriction?
While many parents and policymakers support stronger online protections, critics question whether complete bans can work effectively.
Some experts warn that strict restrictions may push children toward less regulated platforms or encourage attempts to bypass age checks. Technology companies have also argued that safer digital experiences may be better achieved through stronger parental controls, responsible design and improved moderation.
What Happens Next?
The global debate over children and social media is likely to continue as governments balance online safety, privacy and access to digital education.
The UAE’s decision signals a broader shift as countries are moving from asking whether children should be protected online to deciding how much access they should have in the first place.
Ends.
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