UAE Sets A 12-Month Compliance Window

The UAE government says social media companies have 12 months to align their platforms with new rules restricting access for children under 15.

Officials described the Cabinet resolution as the first such measure in the Arab world.

The rule bars children under 15 from creating, using or operating personal social media accounts, while users aged 15 to 16 will be subject to safeguards.

The government said penalties will apply after the transition period when non-compliance, negligence or attempts to manipulate data are proven.

Officials said the 12-month window will be used for discussions with technology companies on age-verification methods.

TDRA Will Check Platform Compliance

UAE Family Minister Sana Suhail, who chairs the Child Digital Safety Council, said the resolution is meant to regulate access rather than limit technology use.

She said digital platforms have direct responsibility for providing a safer environment for children, while educational institutions and government entities will support awareness and policy work.

Suhail also said the measure was based on scientific research, analysis and discussions about children's development needs and exposure to age-inappropriate content.

Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, director general of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, said the TDRA will verify compliance by social media platforms.

He said the agency will monitor platforms and audit transparency around age verification.

Al Mesmar said companies and families must collaborate because the rules are designed as a safety net, not a general technology ban.

Age Data Must Be Deleted Immediately

Officials said personal data used to verify age cannot be stored by social media platforms and must be deleted immediately.

Abdulrahman Al Marzouqi, TDRA director of the policy and programmes department, said the UAE is discussing techniques that could verify a user's age bracket without revealing the full date of birth.

He said national platforms could let a user provide a mobile number or another identifier while preserving privacy.

The TDRA said a range of measures, including AI tools, could be used to verify age.

The article did not name the technology vendors, platform integrations or audit mechanism that will be used.

Children under 15 may still create content when parents are present during filming and manage the associated account, according to officials.

The UAE has not named the first platforms covered by enforcement, the penalty amounts or the final technical standard for age verification.