UAE to ban social media platforms for under 15s

The changes will oblige social media platforms to apply effective and appropriate age verification mechanisms and actively monitor, detect and suspend or disable personal accounts belonging to children under the age of 15.

Commenting on the ban, Alexandra Bertz of Pinsent Masons said: “The changes, announced on 17 June, come as legislators worldwide ramp up measures to protect children online.”

On 10 December 2025 Australia became the first country in the world to ban the use of social media by those aged under 16. The UK announced earlier this month that it expects to impose a similar ban from spring 2027. Like the UAE, other countries, including France and Denmark, have gone a step further and proposed banning social media accounts for under 15s.

In the UAE, Cabinet Resolution No.106 of 2026 is due to come into effect shortly, following its publication in the Official Gazette, with a 12-month compliance period once the law is in effect.

The resolution applies to any platform that permits users to create public or semi-public accounts or profiles, allows social interaction, enables the publication or dissemination of content, or deploys algorithmic systems or automated technologies to display, rank, or recommend content. It applies to both free and paid-for services and regardless of where the service provider is based or its business or operational structure.

The new law covers social media platforms available in the UAE. UAE digital law expert Martin Hayward of Pinsent Masons said: “Based on the broad definition of ‘social media platform’, digital platforms should be assessing whether they fall within the scope of the new law and, if so, focusing on ensuring compliance within the new law’s 12-month grace period.”

Platforms will be required to conduct regular assessments of digital safety risks and to integrate digital awareness tools and materials specifically directed at children to “promote safe and responsible use” of their platforms. Platforms are also required to refrain from profiling and tracking children using their digital activity and targeting children through directed advertisements.

These moves follow Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2025 on Child Digital Safety where the UAE introduced new legal restrictions which hold digital platforms, internet service providers and children’s caregivers responsible for preventing children from accessing offensive material.

Under the latest rules, children who have turned 15 but are not yet 16 in the UAE will be permitted to access social media platforms, but only if their accounts are subject to age-appropriate safeguards and enhanced protections. Parental consent cannot be used to try and circumvent or override any of the restrictions placed on 15-year-olds, or those under 15 that are subject to the outright ban.

The National Media Authority (NMA) and Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) are empowered by the new law to warn, penalise, block or even shut down platforms that fail to comply with the new obligations. The NMA and TDRA will report to the Child Digital Safety Council on platforms’ compliance, including penalties for non-compliance. There are no details yet on what these penalties will cover and whether breaches could result in both civil penalties – in the form of fines – and criminal penalties.