UAE Sets Minimum Social Media Age at 15

The United Arab Emirates Cabinet approved a resolution on 18 June 2026 that sets 15 years as the minimum age for creating, using, or operating personal social media accounts. The rule applies to social media platforms available in the UAE or targeting users in the country, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Age Threshold and User Restrictions

Children below 15 years of age are prohibited from opening or operating personal social media accounts under the new resolution. Users aged 15 and 16 are allowed to access social media with enhanced protective measures, including age-appropriate content classification, restricted interaction with unknown users, regulated usage time, and parental controls.

Verification and Platform Compliance

Social media companies must use robust age-verification systems, including digital identity checks and artificial intelligence-supported technologies. Self-declaration of age is not accepted as valid, and platforms must disable accounts created by children under 15 and prevent users from bypassing verification systems.

Data Protection and Legal Scope

The resolution prohibits the use or processing of children’s personal data for commercial purposes based on tracking digital activity. Parental consent is not treated as a valid exemption from the prohibitions or restrictions in the resolution.

Important Facts for Exams

• The UAE became the first Arab nation to introduce a nationwide minimum age requirement for social media access.
• The minimum social media age in the UAE has been fixed at 15 years.
• Social media companies have up to 12 months, until June 2027, to implement the new standards.
• The rules cover platforms available in the UAE or targeting users in the country.

Implementation Timeline

Social media companies have a transitional period of up to 12 months to implement the new standards and ensure compliance by June 2027. The resolution applies to account creation, age checks, content access, and data use on covered platforms.