The UAE does not expect proposed restrictions preventing children under 15 from independently holding social media accounts to have a significant impact on the country’s rapidly expanding creator economy, according to an official at the National Media Authority.
Authorities believe the measures could instead encourage safer participation online by increasing parental supervision while supporting the long-term development of the digital sector.
Mohammed Al Zarooni, a director at the National Media Authority, said the proposed changes were unlikely to cause major disruption to social media activity among young people. He said the measures could have a positive effect by encouraging more members of the younger generation to use digital platforms under the supervision of their parents.
The proposed legislation is part of wider efforts to strengthen online safety for children and follows similar debates and measures in countries including Australia and several European nations.
Al Zarooni said the UAE was working to ensure its regulations remained aligned with international standards while considering feedback from parents and relevant government authorities.
He was speaking on the sidelines of TikTok’s UAE Forward event, which brought together senior company executives, representatives from the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority and officials from the UAE Government Media Office.
The proposed restrictions come as the UAE continues to promote the growth of its digital economy and online business sector. Officials have stressed that regulation should protect the public while allowing digital platforms, entrepreneurs and creators to continue expanding.
A second Mohammed Al Zarooni, Deputy Director General of the Information and Digital Government Sector at TDRA, said legislation was an important first line of defence for community safety.
He added that the government’s role was also to support the continued growth of digital platforms and create a balance between public protection and business development.
According to Al Zarooni, cooperation between regulators and technology companies could help trusted platforms contribute to the UAE’s wider digital economy ambitions.
The importance of social media to the country’s business landscape was highlighted by figures presented at the event. TikTok contributed Dh1.1 billion in gross value added to the UAE economy and supported around 7,000 jobs, according to a report released during the gathering.
The report also found that more than 70,000 small and medium-sized businesses in the UAE actively advertise on TikTok.
More than 10,000 entrepreneurs said they had started their businesses because of the platform. The figure includes around 3,500 women and 1,400 Emiratis.
Officials said the proposed child safety measures are intended to strengthen protection for younger users without restricting the broader development of the UAE’s creator economy, which continues to attract businesses, entrepreneurs and digital talent.
