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UAE implements reduced school hours and new social media bans for minors
The United Arab Emirates is beginning the 2026-2027 academic year with a phased return to school and new digital safety regulations. According to the Ministry of Education, students will follow a reduced timetable from Monday, August 31, through Thursday, September 3. Full-day attendance for all students is scheduled to commence on Friday, September 4.
During the initial four-day period, school hours will vary by educational stage. Kindergarten students are scheduled from 8:15am to 11:30am, while first-cycle pupils will attend either from 7:15am to 11:15am or 8:15am to 12:15pm. For second and third cycles, schedules are divided by gender: male students will attend from 7:15am to 12:15pm, and female students from 8:15am to 1:15pm.
Simultaneously, the academic year marks the first full cycle under new social media restrictions for minors. Per Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2026, social media platforms are required to monitor, detect, and disable personal accounts belonging to children under the age of 15. This regulation, which cannot be bypassed by parental consent, is part of a broader child digital safety framework. Platforms have until June 30, 2027, to reach full compliance under the oversight of the Telecommunications and Digital Regulatory Authority.
Entities
Telecommunications and Digital Regulatory Authority · UAE Ministry of Education · UAE Ministry of Family · United Arab Emirates
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Reduced hours will run from Monday, August 31, through Thursday, September 3. theglobalfilipinomagazine.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Full-day attendance for all students begins on Friday, September 4. theglobalfilipinomagazine.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Parental consent cannot be used as an exception to the social media ban for children under 15. www.dubaiweek.ae
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2026 requires social media platforms to monitor and disable personal accounts of children under 15. www.dubaiweek.ae
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Kindergarten students will attend from 8:15am to 11:30am during the shortened period. theglobalfilipinomagazine.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] For second and third cycles, male students attend from 7:15am to 12:15pm and female students from 8:15am to 1:15pm. theglobalfilipinomagazine.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The UAE Ministry of Education has announced a phased schedule with reduced school hours for the first week of the new academic year. theglobalfilipinomagazine.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The TDRA has the power to take measures against platforms that fail to comply with the social media ban by June 30, 2027. www.dubaiweek.ae