Authorities plan to regulate children’s use of social media

The Education, Human Development and Community Development Council held its second meeting of 2026, chaired by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of the Council.

Present at the meeting was Sheikha Mariam Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-Chairperson of the Council.

The meeting focused on topics of high priority such as regulating the use of social media by children, promoting robust digital safety measures for children, the development of education policies and curricula, and the results of students’ standardised assessments.

Sheikh Abdullah stated that regulating children’s use of social media is a national responsibility that requires the development of clear frameworks.

These frameworks, the Chairman emphasised, must match the advanced technological transformations and be solid enough to provide a safe and balanced digital environment for future generations.

He further explained that the proposed direction is informed by a carefully evaluated, phased, risk-based implementation strategy.

This approach prioritises social media platforms, given their significant influence and widespread use among children, and incorporates age-based access regulations tailored to the distinct needs and developmental stages of younger age groups.

This will allow the balance between leveraging the opportunities offered by modern technologies and safeguarding societal values.

In addition, the Chairman emphasised the importance of the integration of policies related to children, community, and education as this builds the foundation for strengthening family, social, and developmental stability.

This integration also promotes generational readiness and supports the country’s long-term competitiveness.

The Council Chairman noted that the real impact of policies is measured by their ability to contribute to the building of confident individuals who are proud of their identity, equipped with the necessary skills, and capable of actively contributing to the nation’s development journey.

During the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah underscored the importance of formulating comprehensive national policies grounded in the unique characteristics of the Emirati society.

These policies must be responsive to societal needs and aspirations, and adaptable to accelerating global transformations. Such policies should be designed to ensure sustainable impact, enhance quality of life, and strengthen long-term investment in human capital.

WAM