The UAE’s new social media age rules are set to reshape school routines as educators prepare students for a digital environment with tighter limits on access, interaction and screen time. The rules set 15 as the minimum age for personal social media accounts, placing schools and parents at the center of the transition.
Claire Scowen, Vice President, Risk – Global Lead of Safeguarding and Child Protection at GEMS Education, said, “Children who closely associate social media with their friendships may initially feel frustrated or worried about being left out. However, reduced access could also create more opportunities for face-to-face interaction, physical activity and healthier routines.”
Scowen further explained that children should understand why the changes are being introduced and feel supported as they adjust. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2026, children below 15 cannot create, operate, or use personal social media accounts. The restrictions also cover posting, commenting, sharing content, joining public groups and accessing other interactive features.
The UAE allowed platforms up to 12 months to implement the new requirements. The transition gives tech companies time to establish age-verification systems and comply with the regulatory framework.
The policy allows UAE schools to make digital literacy a bigger part of education. Teachers can help students understand algorithms, privacy risks, misinformation and the attention-driven design of social platforms.
The bigger test will be whether schools and families can turn the restriction into sustainable digital habits. Experts argue that communication and education must accompany enforcement if children are to navigate online spaces safely when they eventually gain wider access.
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