Abu
Dhabi: The UAE Cabinet has issued a resolution regulating children's access
to social media platforms, setting the minimum age for social media use at 15
years. The resolution allows platforms to progressively implement the new
standards through a transitional period of up to 12 months.
Children
under 15 are prohibited from creating or using personal accounts on social
media platforms and shall not be permitted to access their full features.
Children between 15 and 16 must be provided with regulated and safe access
subject to age-appropriate content classification, restricted interaction,
regulated usage time, and parental controls. Parental consent shall not
constitute a valid exemption from these prohibitions or restrictions.
Platforms
are required to implement accurate and reliable age verification mechanisms and
monitor non-compliant accounts. The resolution also prohibits the use or
processing of children's personal data for commercial purposes based on
tracking their digital activities. Caregivers are responsible for actively
supervising their child's permitted digital activity and promoting awareness of
safe online practices.
The resolution forms part of an integrated legislative framework encompassing child rights, cybercrime legislation, personal data protection, and media regulation. The Child Digital Safety Council will assess risks and ensure effective implementation, while the National Media Authority and Telecommunications Authority will oversee compliance, with authority to block platforms or impose penalties for non-compliance.
