Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Council of Ministers, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued a decision regulating children’s access to social media platforms. In a move that reflects the UAE’s move towards establishing an advanced model for child protection in the digital space. Strengthening the digital safety system, in line with the rapid transformations in the use of technology. The decision aims to enable children to benefit from it within a safe, balanced and age-appropriate digital environment.
The decision comes amid children’s expanding use of social media platforms and the associated increasing digital challenges and risks. Includes exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe interaction, personal data collection, and patterns of excessive use. This requires developing an integrated national framework that balances enabling children to benefit from technology with enhancing their protection in the digital environment. It reflects the UAE’s leadership in developing advanced legislative models that keep pace with global digital transformations and place child safety and quality of life among its national priorities.
The decision also enhances the integration of the legislative system related to child protection, which includes the Child Rights Law and legislation related to combating cybercrimes. Regulating the media and digital safety for children, in a way that consolidates the integration of institutional roles and the state’s approach to providing a safer digital environment for children.
The decision includes social media platforms that allow the user to create accounts or personal files, or enable him to interact socially and publish and circulate content. Or rely on algorithmic systems to display, arrange, or recommend content, whether free or paid. It applies to all social media platforms, whether their services are available within the country or directed to users there.
minimum age
The decision set the minimum age for using social media platforms at (15) years. Children under this age are prohibited from creating, using or operating personal accounts on social media platforms. They are also prohibited from accessing the full features of the platforms, including social interaction, posting, commenting, sharing, joining public groups, open channels, or any large-scale interactive spaces.
The decision requires platforms to take all necessary technical and organizational measures to achieve this. The decision takes into account the gradual transition towards more balanced and healthy digital habits, in line with the different age stages of children and young people.
The decision allowed children between the ages of (15) and (16) years to use social media platforms. Provided that their accounts are subject to special protection measures that include classifying and restricting content according to age group and disabling high-risk features such as interacting with unknown users. Regulating usage times and durations and providing parental control tools.
The decision also stipulated that the guardian’s consent should not be considered as an exception to the prohibition or restrictions imposed thereunder. The child carer was permitted to adjust the settings on the accounts of children who have completed the age of (15) fifteen years and have not completed the age of (16) sixteen years through the parental control tools provided by social media platforms in a manner that does not conflict with the established bans and restrictions. This ensures a safe digital environment appropriate to the ages of children, and contributes to promoting the positive use of technology in learning and acquiring skills, while reducing exposure to digital risks.
age verification
The decision required social media platforms to implement effective and reliable mechanisms to verify user age. Such as digital identity, artificial intelligence-supported technologies, including biometric means, or any other mechanisms approved by the Child Digital Safety Council.
In this regard, the decision stipulated that self-declaration of age should not be considered as a means of verification. He also stressed the importance of ensuring that the mechanisms used achieve a high level of accuracy in determining the user’s age, while adhering to the highest standards for protecting the child’s privacy and personal data.
Monitoring personal accounts
The decision obligated social media platforms operating in the Emirates or directed to an audience within the country to monitor the personal accounts of children under the age of (15) years established in violation of the provisions of the decision and take immediate measures to suspend or disable them. And take the necessary technical and organizational measures to prevent circumvention of the systems. In addition to refraining from targeting children with targeted advertisements based on tracking and behavioral stereotyping, or exploiting or processing their personal data for commercial purposes based on tracking their digital activity. In addition to the commitment to providing parental control tools and awareness materials directed at children and their caregivers. Conducting periodic assessments of children’s digital safety risks and submitting periodic reports to the relevant authorities. This consolidates the principle of shared responsibility and enhances the role of platforms as a key partner in protecting children.
Digital protection for children
The decision stressed the responsibilities of the child caretaker, including not enabling him to use the platforms in violation of the provisions of the decision, and not circumventing age verification mechanisms. In addition to exercising actual supervision over the child’s permitted digital activity, and enhancing his awareness of digital risks and safe use practices. The decision also provides a clear framework for families and practical tools to help them guide their children towards more conscious and balanced digital use.
The decision assigned the tasks of monitoring and supervising social media platforms’ compliance with the obligations, controls and standards stipulated in the decision to the National Media Authority, the General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunications Sector and the Digital Government. Each according to its jurisdiction, while granting them the powers to take the necessary measures in the event of a violation, including warning, partial blocking, total blocking of platforms, or imposing the prescribed administrative penalties, taking into account their gradual progression.
The Child Digital Safety Council also assesses the risks and impacts associated with children’s access to social media platforms. Proposing the necessary measures to address and reduce them in coordination with the relevant federal and local authorities. This ensures the effective implementation of the provisions of the resolution and the continuous development of the digital child safety system.
deadline
The decision granted social media platforms a transitional period not exceeding (12) months to regularize their status in accordance with its provisions. While enhancing communication and coordination during this transitional period with the relevant authorities to ensure technical and organizational readiness.
The decision is consistent with advanced global trends in digital child protection. It offers a balanced model that combines digital safety, family support, platform accountability, and practicality. Supporting the UAE’s transition to an advanced stage in regulating the digital space, it is based on proactive legislation, institutional integration, and a balance between innovation and protection. It strengthens the country’s position as a leading global model in protecting children and ensuring their safety in the digital age. It reflects its continued commitment to building a secure and sustainable digital society.
