The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday announced a ban on social media for children under 15, joining countries such as Australia, Canada, and Britain in a global effort to tighten online safety.
According to a cabinet resolution, social media platforms will have to monitor and disable accounts created by children under 15 or risk being blocked. The resolution gave the platforms a 12-month transition period.
The official WAM news agency said, “The resolution sets the minimum age for social media use at 15 years.”
“Children below this age are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal accounts on social media platforms,” it cited the resolution.
WAM also said that children under 15 were barred from “accessing the full features of such platforms, including social interaction, publishing, commenting, sharing, joining public groups, open channels, or any large-scale interactive spaces”.
The agency said UAE’s bodies controlling media and telecommunications have “authority to take all necessary measures against social media platforms in the event of non-compliance”.
As per WAM, the measures could include “warning or partial or full blocking of platforms or the imposition of applicable administrative penalties”.
Global effort to enhance online safety for children
Australia was the first country to impose a ban on social media for children under 16 in December last year, opening up worldwide debates on measures needed to protect children from online dangers.
After Australia’s move, countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Norway, and Malaysia also announced similar age-based restrictions, with Canada and Britain following suit.
Canada announced its decision last week to ban social media accounts for children under 16 unless companies could prove their platforms were safe.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared a ban on social media for under-16 children during a press conference at Downing Street on Monday, citing Australia’s success in tightening online security for minors. Starmer reportedly consulted teachers, parents, and young people on new restrictions such as the ban for children under 16, along with app time limites and regulation on features designed to encourage screen time.
