In support of its efforts to provide safer digital spaces for children, Dubai has launched a new nationwide initiative aimed at promoting healthy use of technology among young people and supporting parents in overcoming the challenges of the digital age.Today, Thursday, the Dubai Community Development Authority, in partnership with Digital Dubai and Sage Clinics, unveiled the “Children’s Right to a Balanced Digital Life” program.This initiative forms part of Digital Dubai’s broader Digital Balance program and was launched as part of the “Year of the Family” campaign in the UAE.The program aims to directly benefit more than 5,000 children in its first year, with more than 480 teachers trained and more than 1,000 parents engaged through awareness workshops and educational campaigns.The authorities also plan to recruit and train more than 300 youth ambassadors, known as “Friends of Child Rights,” who will help spread awareness about responsible digital behavior among their peers.Officials said the initiative seeks to create a protective framework that protects children’s well-being and rights in an increasingly digital world. It is designed to provide families, educators and youth with the tools to ensure safe and balanced use of technology while promoting healthy online habits.
Reem Al-Awabid, Director of Community Programs Department at the Community Development Authority, said: “We believe that protecting children in the digital environment is a shared responsibility.”She added that the initiative reflects Dubai’s commitment to promoting children’s rights and creating safer digital experiences through awareness and education.The program comes amid growing global concerns about the impact of excessive screen time, social media exposure, and unsafe online interactions on children’s mental and social health.Dr. Mahmoud Al-Ali, managing partner at Sage Clinics, said digital balance should not be confused with rejecting technology completely.“Digital balance does not mean rejecting technology, but rather helping children and families use it in ways that support their well-being and development, while promoting healthy relationships,” he said.Authorities said the initiative will focus on improving children’s psychosocial well-being while strengthening family cohesion and helping families adapt to rapid technological and societal changes.
The UAE tightens rules for using social media for minors
This launch comes shortly after the UAE announced one of the most stringent child online protection measures in the region by setting a minimum age of 15 years for using social media.Under the new regulations, children under the age of 15 will be prohibited from creating, using or operating personal accounts on social media. They will not be allowed to post content, comment, share materials or join public groups on social media platforms.Teens ages 15 to 16 will only be allowed to use social media with enhanced safeguards, including age-appropriate content controls, limits on interactions with strangers, screen time management tools, and parental supervision features.The rules will apply to all social media platforms operating in the UAE, which will be required to implement robust age verification systems, including digital identity verification and AI-powered technologies. Self-declared age information will not be accepted.The UAE government said the measures aim to protect children from inappropriate content, online risks, excessive use of social media and misuse of personal data.
Social media companies have been given up to 12 months to comply with the new requirements.The move makes the UAE the first Arab country to impose restrictions on the minimum age for social media use nationwide, joining countries such as Australia and several European countries that have recently tightened the rules amid concerns about online safety and the impact of social media on young people’s mental health.
