The United Arab Emirates has approved new regulations setting 15 years as the minimum age for using social media platforms, becoming the first Arab country to adopt such a measure.

The regulations require digital platforms to verify users’ ages and take immediate action against accounts that fail to comply. Companies will be granted a one-year period to implement the new requirements.

The move is aimed at addressing growing digital risks facing children, including exposure to inappropriate content, personal data collection, and excessive platform usage.