There are also stricter safeguards for users aged 15–16
The UAE has just rolled out a pretty big update on how kids can use social media.
The main headline is simple: children under 15 will no longer be allowed to create or use social media accounts.
In practical terms, this means platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and others will have to block or restrict anyone under 15 from signing up or using full features.
It’s not an instant switch, though, as companies have been given up to 12 months to fully adjust their systems, work out age checks, and get everything aligned with UAE regulators.
For teenagers who are a bit older, there’s a middle ground. If you’re 15 or 16, you won’t be fully banned, but your account will come with stricter controls.
You can think of it like a “teen mode” with guardrails:
- limited interaction with strangers
- tighter content filters
- restrictions on risky features
- screen time controls
- and stronger parental supervision tools
So basically, it’s still social media, but with the volume turned way down and more supervision built in.
One of the big changes behind the scenes is that platforms must now use much more reliable age verification systems.
In other words, they can’t just rely on someone typing in a fake birth year. They’ll also be expected to actively monitor accounts that break the rules and shut them down quickly.
Another important point is that even if parents give permission, that doesn’t override the law.
So a parent saying “it’s okay” won’t be enough to bypass the restrictions.
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There’s also a strong push on data protection. Companies are no longer allowed to track children’s online behaviour for advertising or commercial targeting.
So no sneaky profiling to push ads based on what kids watch or click.
From a family perspective, the government is putting more responsibility on caregivers, too. Parents are expected to actually supervise what their children do online, teach them safe internet habits, and help guide how they use technology in a healthier way.
Overall, the goal is to reduce the overuse of social media among kids, cut down exposure to harmful content, and encourage more balanced digital habits.
According to recent surveys, kids in the UAE can spend around three hours a day on social platforms, and officials are linking that to issues like anxiety, distraction, and even learning difficulties in some cases.
Platforms now have a year to sort out the technical side, but for families, this is more of a long-term shift in how childhood and social media are expected to mix in the UAE.
For further information, visit u.ae
