Child Safety

On June 23, 2026, the UAE government announced a crucial decision aimed at organizing children’s access to social media platforms. This initiative addresses the pressing need for digital safety for minors. It emphasizes a collaborative approach involving families and organizations, ensuring that children can navigate the online world securely while benefiting from technology.

Proactive Legislation for Child Protection

Henadi Al-Yafei, Director General of the Child Safety Foundation, stated that the Cabinet‘s decision regarding regulating children’s access to social media platforms embodies the UAE’s approach to developing a comprehensive digital protection system for children. This decision reflects the visionary outlook of the wise leadership in building a safe and sustainable digital future for younger generations.

The decision aims to strike a balance between empowering children to benefit from technology and ensuring their psychological and social safety in the digital space. It reinforces the principle of shared responsibility among families, platforms, and regulatory bodies.

The Role of Families in Digital Protection

Al-Yafei pointed out that the decision aligns with the objectives of the Year of the Family, as families are considered the primary partners in the digital protection system. Empowering families with the necessary knowledge and tools enhances their ability to guide their children toward safe and balanced technology usage.

Additionally, this decision contributes to instilling values of responsibility and digital awareness within the family environment, supporting national efforts to build more conscious generations capable of navigating digital changes.

Practical Measures and Enhanced Oversight

According to Al-Yafei, the decision addresses a critical aspect: children do not enter social media platforms in a neutral space but rather into a digital environment characterized by open interaction and rapid content. Protecting children digitally requires a clear commitment from platforms, effective regulatory oversight, and ongoing family awareness.

The decision includes practical measures such as verifying user age and not relying solely on self-reporting. It also addresses restricting high-risk features for the age group of 15 to 16 years and preventing the targeting of children with ads based on tracking and behavioral profiling.

Call to Action and Collaboration

Al-Yafei emphasized that the Child Safety Foundation will support this decision by developing relevant policies and awareness programs. Partnerships with stakeholders will be strengthened to ensure effective implementation and to increase awareness among families and children about the safe and responsible use of technology.

These efforts aim to enhance the digital protection system and establish a safer environment for children in our country.