The United Arab Emirates has set a precedent in the Arab world by introducing regulations that prevent children under 15 from having personal social media accounts. This new directive, which is a first for the region, aims to limit the digital activities of youngsters by barring them from engaging with core functionalities of social media. Such activities include posting, commenting, sharing, interacting with others, and joining public groups or channels.
Social media companies operating within the UAE have been given a one-year timeframe to adapt to these new rules. A significant requirement is the implementation of robust age-verification systems, as the reliance on users self-reporting their ages will no longer suffice. The move signifies a push towards a more controlled and safe digital environment for children.
For those aged 15 and 16, the regulations allow continued use of social media but with additional protective measures. These include ensuring content is suitable for their age, restricting interactions with unknown individuals, providing parental control options, and managing the amount of time spent online. Such measures are designed to provide a safer online experience for older teenagers.
The UAE government has expressed that the primary goal of these regulations is to enhance the protection of children in the digital sphere while fostering responsible use of technology. As part of the compliance process, social media platforms will be tasked with identifying and suspending accounts of users under the age of 15 who violate these new rules. This initiative reflects the country’s commitment to safeguarding its younger population from the potential risks of social media exposure.