UAE Enforces New Law to Strengthen Children’s Online Safety, Holds Parents Legally Responsible

Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates has enforced a new law aimed at enhancing children’s online safety, making parents legally responsible for monitoring their children’s digital activities.

According to Arab media, the newly implemented Emirati Child Digital Safety Law has been introduced to protect children from online risks. Under the law, parents are no longer limited to offering guidance but are now legally obligated to supervise their children’s digital behavior.

The law requires parents to closely monitor their children’s use of mobile phones, tablets, and laptops and ensure they are protected from harmful and inappropriate content. It also mandates the provision of a safe environment for children on social media platforms and online gaming services. Search engines and streaming platforms are also required to be fully child-safe.

Under the new regulations, digital companies are equally responsible for ensuring online security for children. This obligation applies not only to companies operating within the UAE but also to digital platforms based outside the country that offer services in the Emirates.

The law makes age verification mandatory for children’s accounts and enforces strict measures such as content filtering, parental controls, restrictions on advertising, and limits on screen time.

UAE authorities have revealed that more than 4,000 digital platforms are currently under monitoring, adding that around 60 percent of children in the country have already been exposed to inappropriate online content.

Officials have warned that companies found violating the law may face heavy fines, restrictions, or even suspension of their services within the UAE. Authorities have also urged parents to remain vigilant and actively protect their children from online violence, blackmail, fraud, and immoral content.