The UAE Cabinet has approved a proposal setting the minimum age for children to access and use social media platforms at 15, becoming the first Arab country to introduce such a measure, news agency Reuters reported.Under the new rules, children under the age of 15 will not be allowed to create or operate personal social media accounts and will face restrictions on access to certain platform features.These include age-appropriate content restrictions, controls on interactions with unknown users, limits on screen time and duration of use, as well as parental supervision tools designed to increase online safety.These measures aim to create a better digital environment for young users while reducing the potential risks associated with social media use.According to a 2024 survey cited by Khaleej Times, children in the UAE spend nearly three hours a day on social media platforms, highlighting the growing role of these services in their daily lives.The UAE joins a growing number of countries that have moved to regulate children’s access to social media, including the UK, Australia and Malaysia.The government said social media companies will be given a transition period of up to 12 months to comply with the new standards.The phased rollout will be carried out in coordination with relevant authorities to ensure technical and regulatory preparedness.The move aims to strengthen safeguards for children in the digital sphere and regulate their engagement with social media platforms, as young people spend more time online and concerns grow about exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying and privacy risks.