Overview
- The UAE Cabinet approved the resolution on Thursday, barring anyone under 15 from creating, using, or operating personal social media accounts and restricting posting and large public interactions for younger users.
- Platforms must deploy high‑accuracy age verification that goes beyond self‑declaration, including digital identity systems and AI‑supported biometric tools, with companies given until December 31, 2026 to comply under TDRA enforcement.
- The initial list of covered services includes Facebook/Meta, Instagram, X, Snapchat and TikTok, and the rules forbid targeted advertising, behavioural profiling and the commercial use of children’s personal data.
- Digital‑rights groups and experts say the rules risk invasive surveillance, unequal enforcement and circumvention that could push children to less regulated apps, while evidence from Australia shows bans can be bypassed.
- The UAE step follows recent moves by other governments such as the UK and Malaysia and has renewed calls from some commentators to focus policy on curbing addictive platform design through safety‑by‑design mandates rather than blanket age bans.