UAE becomes first Arab country to ban social media for children: Age checks, parental controls, data curbs explained

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the first Arab country to introduce new rules regulating children’s access to social media. The country has set 15 years as the minimum age for creating and using personal accounts on social media platforms.

A Cabinet resolution issued on Thursday bars children under 15 from creating or using personal social media accounts. The move is part of a broader push to make digital spaces safer for minors, as governments globally step up scrutiny of Big Tech.