Announcements

UAE bans under-15s from social media: Everything parents need to know

Published

2 months ago

June 18, 2026

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The UAE has introduced one of its strongest measures yet to protect children online, setting a minimum age of 15 for social media use.The new rules mean that children under 15 will no longer be allowed to create or use personal social media accounts, even if they have their parents’ permission.

For many families, the announcement raises practical questions. Which apps are affected? Can parents make exceptions? How will age checks work? And what changes for teenagers aged 15 and 16?

Here’s a breakdown of what the new regulations mean for parents.

Which platforms are affected?

The rules apply broadly to almost any platform that functions as a social media service. This includes platforms that allow users to create profiles, share content, interact with others, join communities, or receive content recommendations through algorithms. Whether a service is free or paid does not matter. If it is available in the UAE or targets users in the country, it falls within the scope of the new regulations.

What is banned for children under 15?

The most significant change is the introduction of a minimum age of 15 for social media use. Children below this age will no longer be allowed to create, use or operate personal social media accounts.

The restriction goes beyond simply opening an account. Children under 15 will also be prohibited from accessing the full range of social media features, including posting content, commenting on posts, sharing material, participating in public groups or channels and engaging in wider social interactions through personal profiles.

In effect, the UAE has drawn a clear line by establishing 15 as the age at which children can begin accessing social media platforms.

Can parents give permission?

No. One of the most notable aspects of the new regulations is that parental consent cannot be used to bypass the age restriction.

The resolution explicitly states that permission from a parent or caregiver does not constitute a valid exemption from the rules. This means that even if a parent is comfortable with their child using social media before the age of 15, the platform is still required to prevent access.

The measure is designed to create a uniform national standard rather than leaving the decision entirely to individual families.

What happens when a child turns 15?

Turning 15 does not mean teenagers gain unrestricted access to social media. Instead, the regulations introduce a more controlled environment for young users aged between 15 and 16.

Teenagers in this age group will be allowed to have accounts, but platforms will be required to apply enhanced safety measures. These protections are expected to include stronger privacy settings, age-appropriate content filtering, restrictions on interactions with unknown users and tools that help manage the amount of time spent online.

The aim is to recognise that older teenagers are increasingly participating in the digital world while ensuring that they remain protected from some of the risks associated with social media use. The regulations describe this as part of a gradual transition towards healthier and more balanced digital habits.

What role will parents play?

While parents cannot override the age limit, they will still play a central role in supervising their children’s online activity.

For teenagers aged 15 and 16, caregivers will be able to use parental control tools provided by social media platforms to manage account settings and monitor usage. However, any changes made through these tools must remain within the limits established by the regulations.

The rules also place specific responsibilities on parents and caregivers. They are expected not to assist children in circumventing age-verification systems or accessing platforms in violation of the regulations. At the same time, they are encouraged to actively supervise their children’s digital activities, discuss online risks and promote safe and responsible internet use.

The message from regulators is clear: protecting children online is not solely the responsibility of technology companies but a shared responsibility involving families as well.

How will age verification work?

A key challenge for governments around the world has been ensuring that children cannot simply enter a false date of birth when signing up for social media accounts. The UAE’s new framework seeks to address that issue directly.

Under the regulations, platforms must implement effective and reliable age-verification systems. These may include digital identity checks, artificial intelligence-powered verification tools, biometric technologies or other mechanisms approved by the Child Digital Safety Council.

Importantly, self-declared ages will no longer be accepted as sufficient proof. Platforms will be expected to demonstrate that their systems can accurately determine whether a user meets the required age threshold.

At the same time, the regulations require companies to handle personal information responsibly. Data collected for verification purposes must be limited to what is necessary, stored securely and retained only for as long as required. Users must also be informed about how verification systems operate.

What new responsibilities will social media companies face?

The regulations place significant obligations on social media platforms, reflecting the UAE’s view that technology companies should play a more active role in protecting children online.

Platforms will be required to identify and remove accounts operated by children under 15, introduce measures to prevent users from bypassing safety systems and regularly assess risks to children’s digital wellbeing. They must also provide parental control tools and educational resources that help families navigate the online environment safely.

The rules further restrict how children’s data can be used. Platforms will not be permitted to target children with personalised advertising based on behavioural tracking, nor can they use information gathered from children’s online activities for commercial purposes.

The overall approach positions social media companies as active partners in child protection rather than simply providers of digital services.

When will the changes take effect?

The regulations will not be implemented overnight. Social media companies have been given a transition period of up to 12 months to introduce the necessary technical systems and compliance measures.

This period is intended to ensure that platforms have enough time to build age-verification mechanisms, introduce enhanced protections for teenagers and align their services with the new requirements.

Who will enforce the rules?

Responsibility for oversight will be shared between the National Media Authority and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority. Both organisations have been granted powers to monitor compliance and take action where necessary.

Platforms that fail to comply could face a range of measures, including warnings, administrative penalties and, in serious cases, partial or full blocking of their services within the UAE.

Alongside these regulators, the Child Digital Safety Council will play an important role in assessing emerging risks, developing safety policies and ensuring that the framework continues to evolve as technology changes.

Why is the UAE introducing these measures?

The new social media rules form part of a broader effort to strengthen child protection in the digital age.They build on existing legislation, including Wadeema’s Law, which protects children from neglect, abuse and exploitation, and follow the establishment of the Child Digital Safety Council as part of the UAE’s wider family-focused initiatives.

Officials say the objective is not simply to restrict children’s access to technology but to ensure that young people can engage with the digital world in a safer, healthier and more age-appropriate way.

What does this mean for families?

For many parents, the new rules may provide welcome clarity. Families have long faced pressure from children who want to join social media because friends and classmates are already online. A nationally enforced minimum age may make those conversations easier by creating a clear and consistent standard.

At the same time, questions remain about how effectively the rules can be enforced in practice. Children around the world have historically found ways to bypass age restrictions by providing inaccurate information when signing up for accounts. Whether the new verification systems can close those loopholes will be closely watched.

What is clear, however, is that the UAE is signalling a major shift in its approach to children’s online safety. By placing greater responsibility on technology companies while giving parents clearer guidance and stronger tools, the country is seeking to reshape how young people engage with social media in the years ahead.

Related Topics:#socialmediaban #uaebanssocialmedia #uaelatest #uaenews #under15s

Sudhashree Dash

With 20 years of experience across print, TV, and digital journalism, Sudhashree is a seasoned media professional with a keen eye for news. A true news bug, she thrives on curating stories that capture the pulse of fashion, film, and all things trending. Deeply immersed in the fast-evolving media landscape, she swears by the power of social media to shape narratives and spark conversations.

Announcements

UAE announces new music fees for businesses: Who will have to pay from December

Published

1 week ago

August 11, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Businesses across the UAE that play music for commercial purposes will face a new licensing system from December 2026, under rules announced by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism.

The new framework introduces licensing fees for a wide range of businesses and organisations that use music commercially, including restaurants, cafes, hotels, shopping malls, gyms and airlines.

Radio and television broadcasters, as well as concert organisers, will also fall under the new system.

The changes are outlined in the ministry’s new Collective Management in Music Guide, which sets out how music copyright and related rights will be managed across the UAE.

Which businesses will have to pay?

The new licensing requirements will apply to venues and businesses that commercially use music.

This includes:

Restaurants
Cafes
Hotels
Shopping malls
Gyms
Airlines
Radio stations
Television channels
Concerts and other commercial music events

The amount businesses pay will not be the same across the board. Instead, fees will be calculated using a sliding-scale system, taking into account factors such as the type of music use and the size or nature of the business.

When do the new UAE music fees start?

The new licensing fees are scheduled to come into effect in December 2026.

Businesses that require a licence will receive a renewable one-year licence. The fees will be collected through the organisations responsible for managing music rights, including the Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation.

These organisations represent rights holders across the music industry, including composers, songwriters, singers, instrumentalists, record producers and music publishers.

Why is the UAE introducing the new system?

The government says the new framework is designed to create a more structured system for managing copyright and related rights in the UAE.

According to the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, standardising licensing requirements and fees should help reduce copyright violations while bringing the UAE’s approach more closely in line with international practices.

For businesses, that means music used as part of the customer experience, whether in a restaurant, hotel, gym or another commercial setting, will be subject to clearer licensing requirements.

Who is exempt from the music licensing fees?

Not every organisation or event will be covered by the new commercial licensing requirements.

The guide identifies exemptions that include:
Schools and academic institutions
Non-commercial celebrations
National events

This means the new fees are primarily focused on the commercial use of music rather than private or educational settings.

New fund will support UAE music talent

The new framework also includes a support mechanism for the country’s music industry.

A Cultural Support Fund in the Field of Music will be established to provide financial assistance and technical support to artists, performers and producers.

Under the new system, 10 per cent of the fees collected will be directed towards the fund.

The money will be used to support emerging musical talent and help promote Emirati music internationally.

What does this mean for UAE businesses?

For businesses that regularly play music for customers, the biggest change will be the introduction of a formal licensing requirement and associated annual fees.

The exact amount will depend on how the music is being used and the characteristics of the business, rather than being a single flat charge for every venue.

Businesses that rely on music as part of their atmosphere or entertainment offering will therefore need to factor the new licensing requirements into their operations from December 2026.

At the same time, the government says the system is intended to ensure creators and other rights holders receive appropriate recognition and compensation when their work is used commercially.

Music licensing rules:

Start date: December 2026
Licence period: One year, renewable
Applies to: Commercial users of music
Examples: Restaurants, cafes, hotels, malls, gyms and airlines
Also covered: Radio, television and concerts
Fee structure: Sliding scale based on use and business characteristics
Exemptions: Schools, academic institutions, non-commercial celebrations and national events
Music support fund: 10% of collected fees

For UAE businesses, the new rules mark a significant change in how commercial music use will be licensed, while the accompanying support fund is designed to put part of those revenues back into the country’s developing music sector.

Announcements

Indian tourists can get UAE visa fees waived for Abu Dhabi: Who qualifies

Published

1 week ago

August 11, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Indian travellers planning a holiday in Abu Dhabi can now have the cost of their UAE entry visa covered under a new tourism initiative.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched a limited-time programme for eligible Indian passport holders who book qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday packages through participating travel companies and online travel agencies.

The offer is available until October 31, 2026, during an initial pilot that will support up to 20,000 visas.

However, the offer comes with specific booking requirements. Travellers must book a package that includes both a return flight from India and at least three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel.

Who is eligible for the free UAE visa offer?

The programme is aimed at Indian passport holders travelling from India to Abu Dhabi.

To qualify, travellers must book through a participating travel partner or online travel agency. The holiday package must include:

A minimum three-night stay at an Abu Dhabi hotel
A return flight from India
Booking through an eligible participating travel partner or OTA

The visa benefit cannot be claimed through an independent application. It is tied to qualifying holiday bookings made through the programme’s participating partners.

When is the Abu Dhabi free visa offer available?

The initiative runs from:

August 1 to October 31, 2026

DCT Abu Dhabi says the pilot programme will initially support up to 20,000 visas.

For eligible bookings, the tourism authority will cover the full cost of the UAE entry visa, potentially reducing the upfront expense for Indian visitors planning a trip to the emirate.

How does the visa fee waiver work?

Travel partners participating in the scheme have two ways to process the visa arrangements.

One option is to work with a DCT-appointed destination management company (DMC). In this case, DCT Abu Dhabi will pay the visa costs directly.

Travel companies can also use their existing DMC partners. Under this arrangement, DCT Abu Dhabi will reimburse Dh285 for each visa issued under the programme.

For travellers, the key point is that the benefit is handled through the participating travel partner rather than by applying for reimbursement independently.

Why is Abu Dhabi targeting Indian travellers?

India continues to be an important international source market for Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector.

According to DCT Abu Dhabi, the new programme is part of wider efforts to make the destination more accessible to Indian visitors while strengthening relationships with travel companies and improving connectivity between India and Abu Dhabi.

The initiative also aims to encourage visitors to spend more time in the emirate exploring its hotels, cultural attractions, entertainment options and natural landscapes.

Is the UAE visa completely free for all Indian tourists?

No.

The offer does not mean that every Indian passport holder automatically receives a free UAE tourist visa.

The visa fee is covered only when travellers meet the programme’s conditions and book through a participating travel partner or online travel agency.

The booking must include at least three consecutive hotel nights in Abu Dhabi and a return flight from India.

Travellers should therefore check with their chosen travel provider before booking to confirm that the package and visa arrangement qualify for the offer.

Abu Dhabi holiday offer:

Who: Eligible Indian passport holders travelling from India
Destination: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Offer period: August 1–October 31, 2026
Hotel requirement: Minimum three consecutive nights
Flight requirement: Return flight from India
Booking requirement: Participating travel partner or OTA
Visa cost: Covered by DCT Abu Dhabi for eligible bookings
Pilot capacity: Up to 20,000 visas
Independent applications: Not eligible for the programme

For Indian travellers already considering an Abu Dhabi getaway, the initiative could make an eligible holiday package more affordable, but checking the participating travel provider and meeting all the booking conditions will be essential.

Announcements

Small businesses in the UAE now have tax relief until 2029

Published

2 weeks ago

August 7, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Small businesses in the UAE with annual revenues of up to Dh3 million will continue to be eligible for Small Business Relief under the corporate tax regime until the end of 2029.

The Ministry of Finance said on Friday that Ministerial Decision No. 131 extends the period during which eligible businesses can benefit from Small Business Relief to cover tax periods ending on or before December 31, 2029.

The relief was introduced to help reduce the corporate tax compliance burden for smaller businesses and start-ups that meet the eligibility requirements.

Dh3 million threshold remains unchanged

The existing annual revenue threshold of Dh3 million, set under Ministerial Decision No. 73 of 2023, will continue to apply.

The relief applies to tax periods beginning on or after June 1, 2023 and, following the latest amendment, will remain available for subsequent tax periods ending on or before December 31, 2029.

Eligible taxable persons with annual revenue of up to Dh3 million can claim Small Business Relief, subject to meeting the conditions and requirements outlined in the corporate tax legislation.

The relief enables qualifying businesses to benefit from simplified corporate tax compliance requirements.

More time for small businesses

The extension provides eligible small businesses and start-ups with additional tax periods to benefit from the relief while continuing to meet the Dh3 million revenue threshold.

The Ministry said the decision is part of its efforts to support smaller companies and entrepreneurs, strengthen the business environment, and encourage sustainable growth and expansion.