Dw.Com

UAE imposes limits on teen social media access

Khaleej Times

UAE social media ban: Doctors see children skipping sleep, meals to keep scrolling

Gulf Business

Uae Bans Social Media For Children Under The Age Of 15

Metaculus

Eu Age Verification On Social Mediaai In 2026

arXiv.org

[2409.02358] Teen Talk: The Good, the Bad, and the Neutral of Adolescent Social Media Use

Guardian

Excessive social media found to harm teenagers’ mental health – but experts say moderation may be key

NCBI

About the Advisory

Gulf News

How countries are banning under-16s from social media  and how Instagram, TikTok and YouTube enforce it

Anadolu Agency

UAE becomes 1st Arab country to restrict social media use for children under 15

The National News

UAE bans social media for under-15s: Which countries have similar rules?

I grew up just fine without social media  and so will your child

UAE doctors back social media ban for under-15s, citing mental health, sleep, and behaviour risks for children

Reuters

Uae Sets Minimum Social Media Use Age 15 Media Office Says 2026 06 18

The Star

UAE announces social media ban for under-15s, joining growing trend

Pajhwok Afghan News

UAE bans social media use by children under 15

Medianama

223 Uae Social Media Access Children Below 15

Let's Data Science

UAE Sets Minimum Social Media Age at 15

2OceansVibe

Uae Is Next To Announce Social Media Ban For Children

Standard HK

UAE sets minimum social media age at 15, mandates age checks

Anthony Albanese

9News Australia

Terry Flew

Australian Human Rights Commission

Aaron Mackey

Joanne Orlando

Melissa McIntosh

Damini Satija

Julie Inman Grant

Timothy Koskie

"They took the easy option, and it will fail."

“New accounts are being created and the age-verification tools that the government assured Australians would be effective, have proven laughably easy to bypass with some makeup and good lighting.”

“Tech-savvy teens simply use VPNs, fake birth photos for face scans, or migrate to less regulated platforms like Lemon8, or to platforms not part of the ban like video games. Enforcement is proving to be difficult in the days leading up to the ban.”

"Some verification methods are often inaccurate while others are easily circumvented.”

"Technological workarounds – such as VPNs and false age declarations – may undermine the effectiveness of the ban."

"This law will also push many users toward platforms that are more personal and private, like Telegram channels, WhatsApp Communities, and Signal Groups, which are not currently banned because they are important tools for encrypted and direct communication."

David Inserra

“Ultimately, reducing online harm would be a great outcome; however, we know from evidence that ‘banning’ anything from young people won’t work on its own.”

Louise La Sala

“There’s a fair amount of teething problems around it. Many young people have been posting on TikTok that they successfully evaded the age limitations and that’s to be expected.”

"I think it will help a lot of parents because it's not them saying no, it's an actual law."

Cassie Xintavelonis

“We don’t expect safety laws to eliminate every single breach. If we did, speed limits would have failed because people speed, drinking limits would have failed because, believe it or not, some kids do get access to alcohol.”

“The fact that teenagers occasionally find a way to have a drink doesn’t diminish the value of having a clear national standard.”

"Just as the banning of phones in school classrooms by many state governments hasn't on day one led to perfect compliance, now it's just accepted that there are improved educational outcomes, improved behaviour, improved social outcomes as a result."

"Australia's social media ban is already driving change, and is proof that the threat of regulation works, even before the law takes effect. Waiting for perfect policy risks paralysis when real progress is already within reach.”

Will Australia's Under 16 Social Media Ban be Effective?

The UAE Cabinet approved a resolution on Thursday, setting 15 as the minimum age for social media use, making the UAE the first Arab nation to introduce such a restriction. Children under 15 are barred from creating, using or operating personal accounts on any social media platform.

The UAE Cabinet approved a resolution on Thursday, setting 15 as the minimum age for social media use, making the UAE the first Arab nation to introduce such a restriction. Children under 15 are barred from creating, using or operating personal accounts on any social media platform.

Under the resolution, platforms have a 12-month transitional period to comply, during which they must remove accounts belonging to under-15s and implement robust age-verification systems. Self-declaration of age will not be accepted as valid verification.

Under the resolution, platforms have a 12-month transitional period to comply, during which they must remove accounts belonging to under-15s and implement robust age-verification systems. Self-declaration of age will not be accepted as valid verification.

Teenagers aged 15 and 16 may access social media under enhanced safeguards, including age-appropriate content controls, screen-time limits, restrictions on interaction with unknown users and parental supervision tools. Parental consent does not exempt children under 15 from the ban.

Teenagers aged 15 and 16 may access social media under enhanced safeguards, including age-appropriate content controls, screen-time limits, restrictions on interaction with unknown users and parental supervision tools. Parental consent does not exempt children under 15 from the ban.

Regulators, including the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, are empowered to warn, partially or fully block platforms, or impose administrative penalties for non-compliance. Platforms must also refrain from using children's data for targeted advertising or behavioral profiling.

Regulators, including the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, are empowered to warn, partially or fully block platforms, or impose administrative penalties for non-compliance. Platforms must also refrain from using children's data for targeted advertising or behavioral profiling.

The UAE's move follows similar restrictions introduced by Australia, which enacted the world's first nationwide social media ban for under-16s in December 2025, as well as measures in Indonesia, Malaysia, the UK and several European countries. Canada introduced legislation to ban under-16s from social media accounts around the same period.

The UAE's move follows similar restrictions introduced by Australia, which enacted the world's first nationwide social media ban for under-16s in December 2025, as well as measures in Indonesia, Malaysia, the UK and several European countries. Canada introduced legislation to ban under-16s from social media accounts around the same period.

UAE medical professionals have reported rising rates of anxiety, sleep disruption, reduced attention spans and declining academic performance among children linked to excessive social media use. Experts stress that age restrictions should be combined with digital literacy education and parental involvement to be effective.

UAE medical professionals have reported rising rates of anxiety, sleep disruption, reduced attention spans and declining academic performance among children linked to excessive social media use. Experts stress that age restrictions should be combined with digital literacy education and parental involvement to be effective.

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The UAE Cabinet approved a resolution on June 18, 2026, setting 15 as the minimum age for social media use, making the UAE the first Arab nation to introduce such a restriction. Children under 15 are barred from creating, using or operating personal accounts on any social media platform.

The UAE Cabinet approved a resolution on June 18, 2026, setting 15 as the minimum age for social media use, making the UAE the first Arab nation to introduce such a restriction. Children under 15 are barred from creating, using or operating personal accounts on any social media platform.

Emirates 24

The UAE's social media ban for under-15s is a commonsense move that protects kids from platforms designed to exploit developing brains. Entire generations grew up without TikTok and Instagram and turned out just fine — boredom, books and real-world friendships built more resilience than any algorithm ever could. Banning kids from social media isn't deprivation; it's giving childhood back.

The UAE's social media ban for under-15s is a commonsense move that protects kids from platforms designed to exploit developing brains. Entire generations grew up without TikTok and Instagram and turned out just fine — boredom, books and real-world friendships built more resilience than any algorithm ever could. Banning kids from social media isn't deprivation; it's giving childhood back.

The UAE ban addresses a genuine crisis — doctors are already treating kids for anxiety, sleep disorders and crushed self-esteem tied directly to social media addiction. Platforms built on dopamine loops are clinically harmful to brains that haven't finished developing, and the evidence from clinics makes that undeniable. Restricting access isn't overreach; it's the same logic that keeps alcohol away from minors.

The UAE ban addresses a genuine crisis — doctors are already treating kids for anxiety, sleep disorders and crushed self-esteem tied directly to social media addiction. Platforms built on dopamine loops are clinically harmful to brains that haven't finished developing, and the evidence from clinics makes that undeniable. Restricting access isn't overreach; it's the same logic that keeps alcohol away from minors.

UAE Bans Under-15s From Social Media

United Arab Emirates

Children and youth

Science & technology

While social media can harm some young people, blanket bans risk treating the symptom rather than the cause. Research shows that social media can also provide connection, support networks, educational resources, and a sense of community for isolated teens. Evidence is complex, with outcomes depending on how platforms are used rather than simple access. Digital literacy, parental involvement, and stronger platform safeguards may be more effective than broad restrictions.

While social media can harm some young people, blanket bans risk treating the symptom rather than the cause. Research shows that social media can also provide connection, support networks, educational resources, and a sense of community for isolated teens. Evidence is complex, with outcomes depending on how platforms are used rather than simple access. Digital literacy, parental involvement, and stronger platform safeguards may be more effective than broad restrictions.

The UAE ban addresses a real crisis. Doctors are already treating children for anxiety, sleep problems and low self-esteem linked to social media addiction. Platforms built around endless engagement and dopamine-driven feedback can be harmful to developing brains. Restricting access is not an overreach; it follows the same principle as age limits on alcohol or gambling. Entire generations grew up without TikTok or Instagram and developed healthy friendships, hobbies and resilience offline.

The UAE ban addresses a real crisis. Doctors are already treating children for anxiety, sleep problems and low self-esteem linked to social media addiction. Platforms built around endless engagement and dopamine-driven feedback can be harmful to developing brains. Restricting access is not an overreach; it follows the same principle as age limits on alcohol or gambling. Entire generations grew up without TikTok or Instagram and developed healthy friendships, hobbies and resilience offline.

There is a 19% chance that the EU will require mandatory age verification on social media or AI before 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 19% chance that the EU will require mandatory age verification on social media or AI before 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

(Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP via Getty Images)

UAE Bans Under-15s From Social Media

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