UAE experts say Resolution No. 106 of 2026 marks a major step in child safety.
As smartphones and social media platforms become increasingly embedded in children’s everyday lives, the United Arab Emirates has introduced a landmark measure to strengthen digital child protection through Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2026 on Regulating Children’s Access to Social Media Platforms.
The resolution marks a shift in approach by expanding responsibility beyond families and placing greater accountability on digital platforms and technology companies to create safer online environments for young users.
Rather than focusing only on restricting children from opening accounts, the framework establishes a broader system to regulate children’s engagement with digital platforms. It introduces age-verification requirements and places direct obligations on social media companies to protect minors, reflecting the UAE’s view that digital safety has become a key part of wider societal security.
Experts from the UAE Experts Program have described Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2026 as a major milestone in advancing children’s digital safety.
They said the legislation provides a comprehensive framework designed to address the fast-changing digital environment, while stressing that protecting children online requires a shared responsibility involving families, schools, digital platforms and policymakers.
Protecting children online is a shared responsibility
Asma Al Ezri, an expert with the UAE Experts Program representing the Community Development and Social Services sector, said safeguarding children in the digital world requires more than legislation alone.
She emphasised that creating a safer online environment depends on the active involvement of parents, educational institutions and technology platforms, with each playing a role in guiding and protecting young users.
She stressed that social media platforms were not originally designed with children in mind, making age restrictions a necessary and justified measure to protect their safety and wellbeing.
Al Ezri urged parents not to create social media accounts for children below the legally permitted age or allow them to access such platforms prematurely, warning that early exposure to online risks could have long-term effects on children’s security, mental wellbeing and healthy development.
She added that Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2026 reflects the UAE’s proactive approach to strengthening its position as a global leader in developing comprehensive frameworks for child protection in the digital environment.
The legislation is designed to keep pace with rapid technological change while placing children’s wellbeing at the centre of digital policymaking. These measures are expected to reduce young users’ exposure to online risks, encourage safer and more responsible technology use, and help raise a generation that is digitally aware and able to engage positively with the online world.
Protecting children in the digital world: A national priority
The resolution is built on growing international research highlighting the increasing digital risks faced by children, including:
- Cyberbullying
- Online exploitation and extortion
- Exposure to inappropriate content
- Contact with unknown individuals
- Collection and misuse of personal data
- Digital addiction
- Psychological and behavioural effects linked to excessive screen time
The aim is not to prevent children from accessing technology, but to ensure they can benefit from the digital world while reducing potential harm and promoting safer online experiences.
Addressing future digital challenges
Faisal Al Hawi, a Fellow of the UAE Experts Program representing the Technology and Innovation sector, said the new legislation reflects the UAE’s commitment to anticipating emerging digital challenges and creating policies that adapt alongside rapid technological developments.
“This legislation goes beyond simply regulating children’s access to social media,” he said. “It introduces age-appropriate preventive measures to protect children from harmful or unsuitable online content while promoting healthier digital habits from an early age.”
Al Hawi, who developed a national behavioural science-based programme for schools and families aimed at reducing passive screen time among children aged six to 10, said excessive consumption of digital content without meaningful learning or interaction has become one of the defining challenges of the digital era.
Why did the UAE set the minimum age at 15?
The resolution sets 15 years as the minimum age for creating personal accounts on social media platforms.
Children below the age of 15 are not permitted to create, use or manage personal social media accounts under the resolution.
They are also restricted from accessing key social networking features, including posting content, commenting, sharing material and engaging in public online interactions.
Teenagers aged 15 to 16 may use social media platforms subject to enhanced safeguards, including parental supervision tools, limitations on high-risk features and stricter controls over online content and interactions.
A comprehensive approach to protecting children online
Commenting on the decision, Sumaya Al Hajri, a Fellow of the UAE Experts Program representing the Public Policy and Regulatory Legislation sector, said the resolution reflects the UAE’s broad approach to child protection online — one that goes beyond technology alone to include governance, legislation, accountability and shared responsibility.
Al Hajri, who developed the national behavioural science-based digital awareness initiative “Digital Heroes” to promote responsible and positive social media use among young people in the UAE, said the resolution highlights the importance of proactive policies that evolve alongside digital transformation while keeping human wellbeing at the centre of innovation.
She compared children’s use of social media to “exploring Mars or swimming with sharks” — an exciting journey into unfamiliar territory that can also involve hidden risks.
“The UAE is working to create a safer digital environment that allows younger generations to benefit from technology while protecting them from emerging challenges through practical measures designed to strengthen children’s online safety,” she said.
An urgent response to the technological revolution
Digital safety experts say children below the legal age often lack the maturity and awareness needed to navigate complex online challenges, including:
Children below the legal age may face difficulties in managing online challenges such as:
- Misinformation and misleading content
- Targeted advertising
- Commercial exploitation
- Cyber extortion
- Social comparison and its impact on mental wellbeing
- Addictive algorithms designed to maximise user engagement
Against this backdrop, restricting underage children from creating social media accounts should not be viewed as limiting their freedoms, but rather as a preventive measure designed to protect them during a crucial stage of their development.
Part of a broader legislative framework
The resolution supports the UAE’s wider digital transformation strategy and forms part of an integrated legal framework that includes:
- The Child Digital Safety Law
- Data Protection Law
- Cybercrime legislation
- Wadeema’s Law on Child Rights
- Digital media legislation
A paradigm shift in child protection
The measures represent a broader shift in how child protection is approached in the digital era, moving beyond traditional safeguards to address emerging online risks through prevention, accountability and shared responsibility among families, institutions and technology providers.
Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2026 marks a significant shift in the UAE’s approach to child protection in the digital era. Instead of relying only on awareness initiatives, the resolution establishes a comprehensive legal framework that places responsibility on all stakeholders to help create a safer online environment for children.
The resolution reinforces the view that protecting children in the digital world is no longer just a matter of guidance, but a key component of national and societal security. It also highlights the need for adaptable, forward-looking legislation that can keep pace with rapid technological change while ensuring innovation develops alongside safeguards for future generations.
