Australia also bans young teenagers from using social media. (Photo: Saeed Khan / AFP)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Thursday that children under the age of 15 may no longer use social media. With this, the country joins a growing group of countries, including Australia, Britain and Canada, which have introduced or proposed similar measures.
According to a cabinet decision, social media platforms will have to take into account the new rules and monitor and deactivate accounts created by children under 15. Failure to do so may result in the platforms being blocked. The platforms are given a transition period of 12 months to comply with the new requirements.
Also read: Brits also ban social media for children
“Children under the age of 15 are prohibited from creating, using or managing accounts on social media platforms.”(Photo: William West / AFP).
“The decision states that the minimum age for using social media is 15 years,” state news agency WAM reported.
“Children under this age are prohibited from creating, using or managing accounts on social media platforms.”
Children will also not have access to the full functionality of these platforms. This includes social interaction, publishing content, commenting, sharing content, joining public groups, open channels or other large interactive spaces.
Read here: Aussies investigate various platforms on prohibited access for young people
Australia introduced the world’s first ban on social media for children under 16 in December. Since then, several countries, including Britain which announced a similar ban earlier this week, have followed the same path.
According to WAM, the UAE’s media and communications authorities have the power to take action against platforms that do not comply with the regulations.
Measures may include warnings, partial or complete blocking of platforms, or the imposition of administrative fines.