Stricter Rules on Kids' Social Media Use?

The UAE Considers New Social Media Rules for Kids: What Could Change?

In the United Arab Emirates, a growing societal debate is emerging on how to effectively regulate children's use of social media. The issue has evolved beyond just screen time. The focus of the discourse is on how digital platforms shape young people's attention, behavior, and mental health, and whether regulation should extend not only to users but also to platform operations.

In a media policy consultation of 2026, educators, human development, and community development experts examined the issue together. The starting point was a shared concern: the digital environment is not a neutral space but a deliberately designed, attention-optimized system, which has a particularly strong impact on the developing nervous system.

The Developing Brain and the World of Rapid Content

The brains of children and adolescents are in an intense stage of development. The neural pathways responsible for sustained attention, impulse control, and decision-making develop gradually. Social platforms, with their short, fast cuts and strong stimuli, create an environment built on continuous stimulation.

Constant notifications, endless scrolling, and instant feedback—such as likes or new videos—create a reward pattern that provides short-term reinforcement through the dopamine system. Over time, the brain gets accustomed to the quick switches and intense stimulus flow. The consequence may be that activities requiring slower, deeper concentration—such as reading, learning, and classroom attention—appear less attractive or satisfying.

In schools, this often manifests as increased distractibility. According to teachers' experiences, impatience, low tolerance for boredom, and difficulty concentrating for extended periods are becoming more common. At home, parents often experience irritability and frustration when they limit device usage or try to encourage offline activities.

Why Are 9–14 Year-Olds Particularly Vulnerable?

The age group between nine and fourteen is a particularly sensitive period. At this stage of life, identity formation and belonging to peer groups become vital. However, the brain areas responsible for impulse control and long-term consequence assessment are not yet fully mature.

During this age, social media can intensify social comparisons. Constant notifications and online feedback can keep the nervous system in a heightened state of alertness, affecting sleep quality, mood stability, and overall well-being. Positive feedback gives short-term reinforcement, while negative experiences—such as exclusion or hurtful comments—can trigger disproportionately strong emotional reactions.

Experts suggest that it is not just the duration of use that matters, but also the nature, intensity, and algorithmic environment of the content with which young people interact.

The Dilemmas of Regulation: Age Restrictions vs. Platform Responsibility

A central issue in regulatory debates is what direction new rules should take. Should mandatory age verification be required? Should structured time limits be introduced, particularly during school hours and night rest? Or should the emphasis be placed more on platform responsibility?

More and more experts argue that the responsibility cannot be solely on parents. The algorithms and engagement cycles of social platforms are consciously designed to maximize screen time. In this environment, it would be unrealistic to expect families to counterbalance the effects of a professionally optimized attention economy alone.

The use of technological solutions for age verification has also been raised. AI-based age-estimation systems might determine from a selfie whether a user is above or below a certain age limit without retaining the data long-term. The UAE's digital infrastructure, especially the national digital identification system, could provide a technical foundation for introducing such solutions.

Effective enforcement, however, is not purely a technological issue. Transparency reports, independent technical audits, and financial sanctions tied to regional revenues may also be needed. The infrastructure of the telecommunications and digital government regulatory authority provides an adequate foundation for compliance control.

Digital Safety and Awareness

Alongside regulation, enhancing digital awareness is crucial. Children today grow up in a world where social media is part of daily life. Mere prohibition offers no solution. Instead, skills are needed that help them use these platforms safely and consciously.

Basic digital hygiene—using strong passwords, activating privacy settings, protecting personal data—can significantly reduce risks. Equally important is developing critical thinking: young people need to learn to identify manipulation, deceptive content, and online scams.

Parents' role in this process is indispensable. Clear rules, consistent frameworks, and leading by example are more effective than isolated time restrictions. According to experts, the best results emerge when time limits are coupled with open conversations and balanced daily routines.

The Pace of Technological Development and Regulatory Challenges

The digital environment is changing rapidly. New platforms emerge, content formats shorten, algorithms become more sophisticated. This poses a significant challenge for regulators, especially when smaller and less known applications also compete for young people's attention.

The UAE's centralized regulatory system and advanced digital infrastructure, however, provide a favorable starting point. The country has previously demonstrated its ability to integrate technological solutions at the state level.

The True Stakes of the Debate

The essence of the current discourse is becoming clearer: the issue is no longer how much time children spend online, but what sort of environment they are spending that time in. The design of digital platforms, algorithmic incentives, and attention-optimized systems all impact learning, emotional development, and social relationships.

The new regulations will likely form a framework composed of several elements: clearer age limits, mechanisms for protecting school and sleep periods, platform-level responsibility, and stronger digital education. The aim is not to reject technology but to ensure the digital space supports rather than undermines the development of young generations.

Thus, the debate goes beyond social media. It addresses what social responsibility we assume for the attention, mental health, and learning capabilities of the next generation in the digital age. img_alt: Child and digital limits