UAE sets 15 as minimum age for social media use

The UAE Cabinet has approved a resolution setting the minimum age for social media use at 15, prohibiting them from creating, using or operating personal social media accounts.

It applies to all social media platforms that enable users to create accounts or personal profiles, engage in social interaction, publish or share content, or that rely on algorithms to display, rank, or recommend content, whether free or paid. 

All platforms will have 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.

Meanwhile, children between the ages of 15 and 16 will be permitted to use social media, subject to enhanced age-verification measures added to their accounts. 

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.

Parental consent is also not considered a valid exemption from the prohibitions or restrictions set out by the new rule. 

The resolution gives social media platforms a transitional period of up to 12 months to comply with the new regulations, and are required to monitor non-compliant accounts and take immediate action to enforce compliance.

Chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Cabinet said the decision is aimed at protecting children in the digital space and collection of personal data.

UAE Cabinet Issues Resolution Regulating Children's Access to Social Media Platforms pic.twitter.com/n5q3tRmkpr

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) June 18, 2026

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.