As online platforms continue to expand, keeping children safe on the internet has become a growing concern for parents.
To address this, the UAE introduced Federal Decree Law No. 26 of 2025 on Child Digital Safety, aimed at protecting children from online risks and ensuring access to age-appropriate digital content.
Who the law applies to:
Covers all internet service providers and digital platforms operating in or targeting users in the UAE, including services accessible to children directly or indirectly.
Platforms covered:
Applies to websites, search engines, apps, messaging services, forums, gaming platforms, social media, live-streaming services, podcasts, streaming and video-on-demand platforms, and e-commerce sites.
Platform classification:
Digital platforms will be classified based on risk level, content type, usage volume and potential impact on children, determining the level of regulation required.
Age-based protections:
Platforms must implement measures such as child-friendly privacy settings, age verification, content filtering, age ratings and limits on targeted advertising.
Children’s personal data:
Collecting or sharing personal data of children under 13 is prohibited, with limited exceptions for approved educational and health platforms.
Banned activities:
Children are not allowed to access or participate in online gambling or betting-related games.
ISP responsibilities:
Internet service providers must enable content filtering, enforce safety policies, obtain guardian consent and offer parental control tools.
Parents and caregivers:
Required to monitor children’s online activity, use parental controls and avoid creating accounts on unsafe or age-inappropriate platforms.
Overall aim:
To protect children online, safeguard their data and promote safer digital spaces for families.
