UAE sets minimum age of 15 for social media account creation
The UAE introduced minimum age of 15 for creating and using personal social media accounts. The measure is intended to better protect children, from online dangers like cyberbullying, harmful content, privacy violations, and excessive exposure, to digital media.
The analysis — automated & source-checked
- Applies to
- Digital & tech · UAE
- What to do
- Social media platforms must implement age verification mechanisms to enforce the minimum age of 15 for account creation. Parents and guardians should supervise children's online activity. Tech companies will receive a transition period to implement compliance measures.
Dubai is implementing sweeping legal reforms in 2026 across multiple sectors. Among the nine major changes, the UAE has introduced a minimum age of 15 to create and use personal social media accounts, intended to protect children from online dangers like cyberbullying, harmful content, and privacy violations. The rules apply to platforms allowing users to create personal accounts, communicate with others, post content, or receive algorithm-based suggestions, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and X. Social media companies will be given a transition period to implement age verification and compliance measures. Other 2026 reforms include new private sector salary payment rules under the Wage Protection System, lowering the legal age of adulthood from 21 lunar years to 18 Gregorian years, establishing the Dubai Longevity Authority for healthcare innovation, strengthened public safety laws, new building maintenance standards, stricter shared housing requirements, restrictions on banks using WhatsApp for customer service, and improvements following UAE airspace reopening. Residents, businesses, and landlords should review these changes to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.
Source
Reported by: Mondaq 14 Jul 2026 Read the original ↗ More from Mondaq →
Quick answers
What do I need to do?
Social media platforms must implement age verification mechanisms to enforce the minimum age of 15 for account creation. Parents and guardians should supervise children's online activity. Tech companies will receive a transition period to implement compliance measures.
Who reported this?
Mondaq (UAE).
When was it announced?
14 Jul 2026.
Where can I read the original?
Read the original at Mondaq: https://www.mondaq.com/compliance/1816542/9-new-dubai-laws-changing-social-media-salary-rules-travel-rights-and-more
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