Photo credit: reuters The United Arab Emirates has announced a new set of regulations that will ban children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms. The move makes the UAE the first Arab country to introduce a minimum age for social media use, as governments around the world continue to examine the impact of online platforms on children and teenagers.The new framework not only restricts access for younger users, but also imposes new obligations on social media companies, which must implement robust age-verification systems and additional safety measures specifically for teenagers.Key Takeaways The UAE says kids need to be at least 15 to use social media. Anyone younger than that can’t make or run their own accounts. Social media platforms have to roll out digital ID checks and AI age-verification tools. Teens who are 15 or 16 can keep using social media, but there’ll be extra safety steps for them. Companies get a year to get everything in place.Children under 15 to be banned from social media accountsThe resolution, passed Thursday, would prohibit kids under 15 from creating, using or operating personal social media accounts. The bans target a range of activities that are central to most social platforms today.Users under 15 won’t be allowed to post content, share updates, comment on posts, join public groups or engage in other social networking activities via personal accounts, the government said. The move aims to reduce children’s exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe online interactions, overuse of social media and the risks of data collection practices.The move reflects growing concerns among policymakers about how young users engage with online platforms and the potential impact of social media on their overall well-being.Teenagers will gain access with extra safeguardsWhile social media will be off-limits to younger children, the UAE’s new framework takes a different tack for 15- and 16-year-olds.This age group of users will still be able to access social media platforms but companies will have to implement enhanced protections. This includes age-appropriate content controls, limits on interaction with unknown users, tools for managing screen-time, and parental supervision features.The framework tries to strike a balance between allowing teenagers to engage in digital spaces and adding safeguards to make those experiences safer and more controlled.Platforms need to enforce stricter age verificationOne of the biggest changes in the new rules is forcing social media companies to do a better job of checking who is using their services.The government of the UAE announced that self-declaration of age will no longer be considered a valid form of verification. Instead, platforms will be required to use strong age-verification methods, which could involve digital identity verification and artificial intelligence-based technologies.The rules are applicable to all social media platforms operating in the UAE. They will also be required to stop users from circumventing age-verification measures and to stop underage users from continuing to use accounts through loopholes or false age statements.The stricter verification rules could force platforms to alter the way they onboard users and address age-related compliance in the country.New social media company obligationsBeyond age verification, the framework imposes a number of new compliance obligations on platform operators.Social media companies have to close down accounts created by children under 15. They must also guarantee that the personal data of children is not used for targeted advertising or behavioural profiling.The government believes these measures are necessary to strengthen online child protection and reduce the risks related to digital advertising practices that involve minors.Companies have been given up to 12 months to comply with the new rules and make the necessary technology and operational changes.Part of a wider global conversation on online safetyThe UAE’s new rules aren’t happening in a vacuum - they fit right into a global push to make the internet safer for kids. Around the world, governments are looking closely at how social media shapes young people’s lives, especially with all the worry about harmful content, risky interactions, and just too much screen time.By setting a minimum age and requiring tougher age checks, the UAE is joining a group of countries that want tighter control over what kids see and do online. These changes send a pretty clear message to tech companies: it’s not enough to just ask users how old they are. Now, companies have to take real action to keep younger users safe.Frequently Asked Questions1. What’s the minimum age for using social media in the UAE now?You have to be at least 15 to create and run your own social media account in the UAE.2. What kids under 15 can’t do on social media?Kids under 15 can’t set up accounts, post anything, leave comments, share updates, or take part in public groups using personal accounts.3. Can teens who are 15 or 16 still be on social media?Yes, teens aged 15 and 16 can still use social media. The catch is, there will be extra safety checks and parents will need to keep an eye on things.4. How will platforms check users’ ages?Platforms need to use tighter age checks now, like digital ID verification and AI tools that help confirm someone’s real age.5. Why isn’t self-declaring your age good enough anymore?People used to get around age rules by entering a fake birth date. The UAE is getting strict to stop underage kids from slipping through the cracks.6. What about accounts already run by kids under 15?Platforms have to shut down accounts being used by anyone younger than 15, even if they’re already up and running.7. How much time do social media companies have to put these rules in place?They’ve been given up to 12 months to get everything sorted and make sure they follow the new regulations.end of article