UAE sets 15 as minimum age for social media use

Thursday, June 18, 2026Technology & SocietyWell-covered4 frames

The UAE Cabinet approved a resolution setting 15 as the minimum age for social media use.
Children under 15 are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal social media accounts under the new rules.
The rules also restrict under-15s from accessing the full features of social media platforms.
Social media platforms are required to monitor under-15 accounts and disable or suspend them, and they could face blocking if they do not comply.
The government is allowing a transition period of up to 12 months for platforms to implement the new standards.
The policy is aimed at regulating children's access to social media and strengthening child protection in the digital space.
Multiple reports describe the UAE as the first Arab country to introduce a nationwide minimum-age rule of this kind for social media use.
Reports say the UAE is joining a broader international trend, with countries including Australia, Britain and Canada cited as pursuing similar age-based social media restrictions.

How left and right are reading this

Both agree: A real national standard now ties child protection online to enforceable platform duties, not just parental discretion or voluntary safeguards, with under-15 accounts to be monitored and disabled and companies given a defined window to comply.
They split on: Less a disagreement than a question of emphasis: protecting children by limiting their access to social media, versus proving the rule has teeth by making platforms enforce a clear national age standard.

Thursday, June 18, 2026Technology & SocietyWell-covered4 frames

The UAE Cabinet approved a resolution setting 15 as the minimum age for social media use.
Children under 15 are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal social media accounts under the new rules.
The rules also restrict under-15s from accessing the full features of social media platforms.
Social media platforms are required to monitor under-15 accounts and disable or suspend them, and they could face blocking if they do not comply.
The government is allowing a transition period of up to 12 months for platforms to implement the new standards.
The policy is aimed at regulating children's access to social media and strengthening child protection in the digital space.
Multiple reports describe the UAE as the first Arab country to introduce a nationwide minimum-age rule of this kind for social media use.
Reports say the UAE is joining a broader international trend, with countries including Australia, Britain and Canada cited as pursuing similar age-based social media restrictions.

How left and right are reading this

Both agree: A real national standard now ties child protection online to enforceable platform duties, not just parental discretion or voluntary safeguards, with under-15 accounts to be monitored and disabled and companies given a defined window to comply.
They split on: Less a disagreement than a question of emphasis: protecting children by limiting their access to social media, versus proving the rule has teeth by making platforms enforce a clear national age standard.

Facts first. Then every angle.