Children's Digital Safety in the UAE: A Practical Guide for Families in Dubai

How to protect your children online in the UAE

1. 1

   Understand what the framework is for

   The legal framework aims to protect children while they use the internet and digital platforms by ensuring a safe and age-appropriate experience. It also promotes awareness among children and parents about the responsible use of technology. Reading it as a parent helps you set expectations at home rather than leaving everything to the platforms.

2. 2

   Know who shares the responsibility

   The framework establishes a comprehensive national approach to child protection in the digital environment. It assigns shared responsibilities to digital platforms, internet service providers, parents and government entities, so that keeping children safe online is not left to any single party. Knowing this helps you understand where to turn when something goes wrong.

3. 3

   Learn about the Child Digital Safety Council

   One pillar of the system is the Child Digital Safety Council, established under Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2025 Regarding Child Digital Safety. It anchors the national effort around children's safety online.

   Documents:Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2025
4. 4

   Check games before your children play

   You can explore the 'Sannif' platform, which helps parents learn about online games and their content before allowing children to use them. Making this a habit before downloading a new game gives you a clear picture of what your child will encounter.

   Documents:Sannif platform
5. 5

   Expect age verification on platforms

   Under Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2025 Regarding Child Digital Safety, digital platforms are required to put in place effective age verification measures for users. When a service asks your child to confirm their age, this is the framework at work.

   Documents:Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2025
6. 6

   Mind the minimum age for social media

   According to Cabinet Decision No. 106 of 2026 on Regulating Children's Access to Social Media Platforms, the minimum age for using social media in the UAE is set at 15 years. Keep this in mind before letting a child open an account. For background, you can read the Emirates News Agency (WAM) report on the Cabinet resolution.

   Documents:Cabinet Decision No. 106 of 2026WAM: UAE Cabinet resolution on social media access
7. 7

   Use the tools platforms must provide

   Digital platforms must provide tools to protect children. Take the time to find and switch on these protections in the apps and services your family uses — they exist because the platforms are obliged to offer them.

8. 8

   Turn on parental controls from your provider

   Internet service providers must filter harmful content, provide parental control tools, support safe internet use for children, and report any content that may harm children. Ask your provider how to activate the parental controls on your home connection.

   Documents:Parental control tools

Fees and timelines may change — verify with the official source.

Real companies from Google Maps — live ratings and reviews.