UAE Social Media Restrictions for Under-15s Seen as Positive for Creator Economy

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, July 21, 2026

The UAE's National Media Authority proposed restrictions preventing children under 15 from independently holding social media accounts to protect them from online exploitation while encouraging parental supervision. This policy aims to balance child safety with the continued growth of the digital economy, as platforms like TikTok significantly contribute to job creation and entrepreneurship in the country.

The United Arab Emirates does not anticipate that proposed restrictions barring children under 15 from independently holding social media accounts will have a major impact on the country’s rapidly expanding creator economy, according to a senior official at the National Media Authority (NMA).

Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director of Strategic Planning at the NMA, said the measure is primarily aimed at protecting children from online exploitation. Rather than limiting participation, he suggested the policy could promote safer engagement by encouraging parental supervision of social media use among younger users. “The law itself is more about under-15s not having accounts themselves. It’s there to safeguard any exploitation of our children,” Al Zarooni stated. He added that the shift may result in more supervised social media activity by younger users, which could benefit the sector in the long term.

The proposed legislation is part of broader UAE efforts to enhance online child safety and aligns with similar initiatives underway in countries such as Australia and various European nations. Authorities in the UAE continue to seek alignment with international standards, while also incorporating input from parents and relevant stakeholders.

The remarks were made during TikTok’s UAE Forward event, which gathered regional executives from the company alongside representatives from the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and the UAE Government Media Office.

In related comments, the Deputy Director General of the Information and Digital Government Sector at TDRA, also named Mohammed Al Zarooni, highlighted the government’s aim to balance regulatory measures with the continued growth of digital platforms. “There are certain legislations that need to be met and respected, and I believe that it’s the first line of defence,” he said. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of supporting the expansion of digital ecosystems, noting a “mutual understanding” between ensuring community safety and fostering entrepreneurship on these platforms.

He underscored that nurturing trustworthy digital platforms contributes to advancing the UAE’s wider digital economy ambitions. “I believe it will help the government and the country thrive in the digital economy,” Al Zarooni remarked.

Data presented at the event highlighted TikTok’s significant economic role in the UAE, reportedly contributing Dh1.1 billion in gross value added (GVA) and supporting approximately 7,000 jobs. The report also found that over 70,000 small and medium enterprises actively advertise on TikTok within the UAE, while more than 10,000 entrepreneurs—including 3,500 women and 1,400 Emiratis—attributed the platform as instrumental in launching their businesses.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.