UAE schools prepare pupils for under-15s social media restrictions

Across the UAE, schools are gearing up pupils for upcoming social media restrictions for children under 15. The UAE Cabinet announced in June that children under 15 will no longer be permitted to create or use personal social media accounts, giving platforms 12 months to comply. The measures aim to shield children from harmful content, unsafe interactions, misuse of personal data, and excessive social media usage.

Lisa Johnson, principal of the American Academy for Girls, emphasized that these restrictions are more than just keeping children off platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and X. They also promote broader conversations about digital well-being. Johnson stated that giving children more time to mature before managing social media accounts independently is a sensible safeguard.

Educators at several schools already teach digital safety and responsible digital citizenship. Brian Cleary, head of secondary at Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, noted that schools must embed digital well-being within a wider approach to safeguarding, well-being, and healthy lifestyles. The American Academy for Girls regularly discusses privacy, cyberbullying, inappropriate content, misinformation, digital footprints, and the importance of careful posting.

The school's circular on summer break initiatives highlighted parents' responsibility to supervise and monitor children's online activities, ensuring responsible digital citizenship in line with KHDA expectations, UAE laws, and GLS's digital policy. School officials stressed the importance of teaching critical thinking about online content and its permanence, as well as the impact of excessive screen time on physical and mental health.

Parents are central to implementing the new rules, with schools and parents needing to work together to establish healthy routines and maintain oversight of children's technology use at home.