UAE sets 15 as minimum age for social media use, first Arab nation to impose limit

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the first Arab nation to implement a legal framework that sets a minimum age of 15 for social media use. This decision, approved by the UAE Cabinet, aims to safeguard children from the potential harms of unregulated internet exposure. Under the new regulations, individuals under the age of 15 will be prohibited from creating or managing personal social media accounts. Additionally, the law mandates several protective measures, including content filters tailored for younger audiences, interaction limitations with unknown users, restrictions on screen time and usage duration, and the introduction of parental oversight tools. These provisions are designed to foster a safer digital environment for youth while mitigating risks such as exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, and privacy violations. A 2024 survey highlighted that children in the UAE currently spend approximately three hours per day on social media, underscoring the increasing significance of these platforms in their daily routines. The UAE now joins a growing list of nations, including the UK, Australia, and Malaysia, that have taken similar steps to regulate children's access to social media. Social media companies will be granted a transitional period of up to 12 months to align with the new standards, ensuring compliance with the updated requirements. The implementation of this regulation will occur in phases, coordinated with relevant authorities to guarantee both technical and regulatory readiness.

The United Kingdom has also made headlines with its recent announcement regarding stricter regulations on social media use for minors. Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that children under the age of 16 will be banned from accessing major social media platforms, marking a significant shift in online child safety policies. This initiative, dubbed the "most significant overhaul of online child safety rules in a generation," seeks to address mounting concerns about the adverse effects of social media on young people's mental health, exposure to harmful content, and interactions with strangers online. The proposed measures extend beyond existing regulations in Australia and are described as an "Australia-plus" model. The crackdown is anticipated to affect numerous global platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X, YouTube, Reddit, Threads, Twitch, and others identified as posing risks to children. Additional restrictions will target gaming platforms and AI-powered chatbots, aiming to minimize opportunities for grooming, bullying, and harmful interactions across digital spaces. Starmer emphasized that the current system has failed to provide adequate protection for young users, asserting that the government prioritizes the safety and happiness of children above all else. Despite acknowledging the potential for teenagers to circumvent restrictions, the government remains resolute in implementing these measures to establish clear standards for child protection.

The UK government's plans encompass a broader scope than traditional social media alone. Proposed regulations will prohibit under-18s from accessing romantic or sexual AI chatbots, reflecting growing apprehensions about inappropriate interactions between minors and artificial intelligence tools. Furthermore, initiatives are being developed to mitigate excessive social media use among older teenagers, including measures to limit late-night scrolling and curb addictive features such as infinite scrolling algorithms. Although specific details regarding evening hour restrictions remain pending, officials argue that many online products are intentionally crafted to maximize user engagement, often compromising sleep quality, overall wellbeing, and mental health. Reports indicate that the UK government has conducted extensive consultations on children's online safety, receiving over 116,000 responses. According to the government, approximately 90% of parents endorsed the proposal to raise the minimum age for social media access, with more than 83% believing the risks associated with social media outweigh its benefits. However, some advocates caution against overly broad restrictions, suggesting they might lead to additional complications. The government's strategy combines a proposed platform ban with further limitations on live streaming, contact with strangers on gaming apps, and potential curfews still under review. Detailed information on these aspects will be released in subsequent months.

The UK's decision to ban social media for under-16s positions it as the fourth country following Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia to implement such a restriction. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his belief that this move is essential for preserving children's wellbeing, stating, "We are banning social media access for under 16s. These days kids must find their feet in a world where technology intrudes into every area of their life. I just can't let that go on anymore." The new "Australia-plus" approach will also impose restrictions on live streaming on platforms deemed safer and prevent children from engaging with strangers on gaming applications. The UK government is contemplating social media curfews for children, although specifics on this aspect of the plan will be disclosed later. This decision follows a comprehensive three-month consultation period, which explored both an outright ban and alternative strategies aimed at reducing children's exposure to harmful online features. Australia pioneered the world's first complete social media ban for under-16s in December 2025. According to reports, the UK is expected to enforce a ban covering the same 10 platforms restricted in Australia for that age group: TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, X, Threads, Facebook, and Kick. The UK intends to surpass Australia by incorporating measures such as curfews for older teenagers and limitations on AI chatbot usage. Starmer emphasized that ensuring children's safety online is one of the most pressing issues of the era, noting that every parent desires their child to grow up secure and content.

The UK government's plans, expected to be detailed shortly, integrate a proposed platform ban alongside additional constraints on live streaming, contact with strangers on gaming apps, and potential curfews still under deliberation. The government stated that the police engaged in discussions with stakeholders, and over 110,000 responses were submitted by parents, children, and experts. The government noted that the feedback demonstrated strong public support for stringent actions, with nine out of ten parents endorsing the ban. In India, two states are exploring the possibility of imposing a social media ban for children under the age of 16. In March, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of Karnataka announced that the state government would consider such a ban, although no specific timeline was provided. Similarly, the Andhra Pradesh government had contemplated a ban on social media for children in that age group in 2025. Following Karnataka's announcement, the Internet Freedom Foundation raised concerns that child safety online necessitates thorough, evidence-based policies rather than impulsive prohibitions. In India, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act mandates that data fiduciaries obtain verifiable consent from a parent or lawful guardian prior to processing the personal data of a child.

The UK government has outlined its intention to adopt the same blocking mechanism used in Australia, where the first full social media ban for under-16s was implemented in December 2025. The UK's proposed ban will encompass platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, while messaging applications like WhatsApp and Signal will remain unaffected. The government plans to exceed a simple ban by restricting "harmful functions such as livestreaming and stranger communication." The restrictions and the ban are described as going further than any other country, applying to a broader spectrum of online services, including gaming sites. The government will also examine overnight curfews and intervals in infinite scrolling for those under the age of 18, with more details to be shared in July. It remains uncertain when the ban will officially commence. The BBC quoted Starmer as stating that the government intends to pass the legislation in Parliament before Christmas, allowing the ban to be enforced in the first half of 2027. The government mentioned that the police engaged in dialogues with stakeholders, and over 110,000 responses were submitted by parents, children, and experts. The government noted that the feedback reflected robust public support for stringent actions, with nine out of ten parents endorsing the ban.