Key points
- National Child Digital Safety Council to be established
- Platforms barred from collecting under-13 personal data
- Initiatives include training, wellbeing, and reporting mechanisms
ISLAMABAD: The United Arab Emirates has introduced a new federal decree law aimed at strengthening child protection in the digital space, tightening regulations on online platforms and internet service providers operating in or targeting the country.
Announced on Friday, the legislation comes ahead of 2026 being designated the Year of the Family and reflects the UAE’s broader efforts to enhance children’s quality of life and well-being in an increasingly digital environment.
The law seeks to shield children from online content and practices that may harm their physical, psychological, or moral development.
The decree applies to a wide range of digital services, including social media, messaging applications, online gaming platforms, live streaming services, video-on-demand platforms and e-commerce websites. It also outlines responsibilities for caregivers, digital platforms and service providers to ensure children’s online safety.
Parental control tools
A National Child Digital Safety Council, chaired by the Minister of Family, will be established to propose policies and strategies related to child online protection. The law also introduces a national classification system for digital platforms, with age-based restrictions and controls linked to potential risks.
Under the legislation, platforms are prohibited from collecting or sharing personal data of children under 13, except in limited cases.
Service providers must implement content filtering and parental control tools, while caregivers are required to monitor children’s digital activity and use appropriate safety measures.
The framework is supported by new initiatives, including training programmes, digital wellbeing resources and reporting mechanisms to address online abuse swiftly.
