UAE and Malaysia implement social media age restrictions for minors

The United Arab Emirates and Malaysia have implemented new regulations to restrict social media access for minors.

In the UAE, Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2026 prohibits children under 15 from creating or operating personal social media accounts. Unlike some other jurisdictions, caregiver consent cannot override this rule. Platforms are required to verify age using government digital IDs, biometric matching, or AI age estimation, with a compliance deadline of June 30, 2027. This measure operationalizes the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2025 regarding child digital safety.

Malaysia has implemented a similar restriction under the Child Protection Code, barring children below the age of 16 from registering social media accounts. To enforce this, platforms must use official records such as MyKad, passports, or MyDigital ID. The move aims to protect minors from threats like cyberbullying, harmful content, and sexual grooming, following concerns regarding the influence of social media on youth behavior.