UAE Issues Federal Decree on Child Digital Safety

The United Arab Emirates has introduced a federal decree-law on child digital safety, creating a comprehensive legal framework to protect minors from online risks and encourage responsible use of age-appropriate digital content.

The decree-law applies to internet service providers and digital platforms operating within the UAE or targeting users in the country. It covers a wide range of services, including websites, search engines, smart applications, messaging services, online forums, gaming, social media, live streaming, podcasts, video-on-demand, and e-commerce platforms, according to the state news agency WAM.

The legislation aligns with the UAE’s designation of 2026 as the Year of Family and aims to shield children from harmful digital content and practices that could negatively affect their physical, psychological, and moral wellbeing. It also outlines the responsibilities of those caring for children, ensuring guardians understand and fulfill their obligations regarding online safety.

A key feature of the decree-law is the creation of a Child Digital Safety Council, chaired by the Minister of Family. The council will act as an advisory and coordinating body, integrating efforts between federal and local authorities and the private sector. Its responsibilities include proposing policies, legislation, and strategies for child digital safety, conducting studies to monitor emerging online risks, and launching public awareness campaigns.

The law establishes a system to categorise digital platforms based on the risk and impact they pose to children. This framework will guide regulatory standards, defining age-appropriate controls and restrictions. Digital platforms are prohibited from collecting, processing, publishing, or sharing the personal data of children under 13, except in specific cases, with exemptions for educational or health-related platforms granted by Cabinet resolution.

The decree-law also defines clear obligations for digital platforms. Providers must implement default privacy settings, age verification tools, content filtering, age-rating mechanisms, and restrictions on targeted advertising. Children are barred from participating in online commercial games involving gambling or money-based activities. Internet service providers are required to deploy content-filtering systems and ensure parental oversight of children’s online use. Guardians must sign terms of service integrating parental controls and monitoring tools.

Caregivers are expected to monitor children’s digital activity, use parental control tools, and avoid creating accounts for children on platforms that are not age-appropriate or lack enhanced child protection measures. The Ministry of Family, along with local authorities, will oversee programs and mechanisms to ensure guardians comply with these requirements.

The legislation also sets procedures for reporting harmful content and guarantees swift action against cases of online abuse or exploitation of children. Authorities hope the decree-law will create a safer digital environment for minors, balancing technological advancement with strong protective measures for the nation’s youngest users.