The UAE’s Education, Human Development, and Community Development Council is working on a new regulatory framework to govern children’s use of social media, as part of broader efforts to create a safer and more balanced digital environment for future generations.

The initiative was discussed during a council meeting chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Council.

Sheikh Abdullah said that regulating children’s use of social media is a national responsibility that requires clear and structured frameworks aligned with rapid technological advancements. He emphasised that these frameworks must be robust enough to protect young users while keeping pace with ongoing digital transformation.

Age-based regulations under review

According to the council, the next phase will involve careful evaluation through a phased, risk-based implementation strategy. This includes introducing age-based access regulations tailored to the developmental needs of different age groups.

The proposed approach aims to balance regulation with empowerment, ensuring children can benefit from modern technologies while being safeguarded from potential risks.

Cross-sector coordination

Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the importance of strengthening community awareness and enhancing coordination among stakeholders. The framework is expected to involve collaboration across social, technical, educational, security, media and health sectors to ensure an integrated and effective approach.

Officials said the initiative is part of wider national efforts to promote digital safety for children. Discussions also covered the development of education policies and curricula, as well as the results of students’ standardised assessments.

The council underscored the need for responsible digital engagement, stressing that future policies must combine appropriate safeguards with education and awareness to support children’s well-being in an increasingly connected world.

The UAE Council for Fatwa has announced that the Ramadan Crescent Moonsighting Committee will convene on Tuesday, February 17, at 6pm at the historic Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi to determine the start of Ramadan.

The committee will be chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Sheikh Al Mahfouz bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE Council for Fatwa, and attended by Dr Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Vice-Chairman of the Council.

Proceedings will begin after the Maghrib prayer, when the committee will review field observation reports and findings from accredited observatories across the UAE. Testimonies submitted from different parts of the country will also be examined in accordance with approved religious and procedural guidelines.

The Council said the meeting falls within its mandate to observe and confirm lunar months, reinforcing its role as the unified official authority for moon sighting in the UAE and strengthening the institutional framework for declaring the start of Islamic months.

Residents urged to take part

Residents and citizens have been invited to take part in sighting the crescent and to submit verified reports through the Council’s designated online platform. The Council emphasised the importance of reviving the prophetic tradition of moon sighting and encouraging community participation.

If the crescent moon is sighted on Tuesday evening, Ramadan will begin on Wednesday. If it is not sighted, the holy month will commence on Thursday.

An official announcement confirming the start date will be issued through authorised channels following the committee’s deliberations.

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Dubai Police has launched a citywide road safety campaign for the Holy Month, urging motorists to slow down and avoid rushing home in the minutes before sunset.

The initiative, titled ‘Ramadan Without Accidents’, is part of Dubai Police’s annual Ramadan outreach and aims to reduce speeding and reckless driving during the critical pre-Maghrib period, a time when traffic incidents typically increase.

Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Rahman Al Falasi, Director of the Traffic Awareness Department at the General Department of Traffic, said officers will be distributing Iftar meals to motorists at key junctions shortly before sunset. The move is designed to ease pressure on drivers who may feel compelled to speed to break their fast on time.

“Road safety remains a top priority, particularly during Ramadan when traffic patterns shift, and some motorists feel urgency to reach their destinations before Iftar,” he said, urging residents to plan journeys, stick to speed limits and exercise patience behind the wheel.

Locations for meal distribution:

• City Walk intersection
• Al Satwa roundabout
• Al Madina Mall
• Century Mall
• American Hospital Dubai
• Al Mizhar 4
• Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre intersection in Al Khawaneej

The campaign also includes a strong community component. Four volunteer initiatives will run throughout Ramadan, with 679 volunteers, including Dubai Police personnel and members of the public, currently registered on the Dubai Police Volunteer Platform.

Volunteers will support field activities, awareness campaigns and community engagement efforts, reinforcing the shared responsibility for safer roads during the holy month.