Parents and caregivers in the UAE are now legally obliged to monitor and manage their children’s online activity under the new Child Digital Safety (CDS) Law.
The legislation strengthens protections against harmful content, excessive digital use and the misuse of children’s personal data, shifting online safety from guidance to a legal responsibility. It applies not only to UAE-based companies but also to international digital platforms that target users in the country, regardless of where they are headquartered.
Key measures include age verification, content filtering, parental controls and strict limits on advertising aimed at minors. The law applies to anyone responsible for a child’s care, formally defining parents’ and guardians’ duties in ensuring online safety.
It also gives parents greater control over how platforms collect and use children’s data. Children under 18 are barred from participating in online commercial gaming, including gambling and betting, with platforms and internet providers required to block access. Introduced amid growing concern over children’s data and the spread of inappropriate and AI-generated content, the law reinforces that parental oversight remains essential alongside technical safeguards.
