Saudi Arabia calls for age limits on social media use for children

A global shift is underway in the digital landscape, with countries increasingly moving to restrict or outright ban social media access for minors amid growing concerns over the impact of online platforms on children.

In Saudi Arabia, the Shoura Council has called on the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) to develop age verification rules and usage restrictions for social media platforms targeting users under the age of 16, Caliber.Az reports, citing Khaleej Times.

The council also urged the CST to explore ways to utilize unused capacity in fiber-optic networks owned by government entities in order to improve the quality of telecommunications and internet services.

In addition, it called for the development of regulatory frameworks and investment mechanisms for commercial space services, aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the space sector and increasing private sector participation.

The Saudi initiative comes amid broader international efforts to reassess children’s safety in an increasingly connected digital environment.

In the United Arab Emirates, authorities are preparing to introduce national standards for children’s media content as part of a wider strategy to enhance the quality and safety of media consumption across digital and traditional platforms.

Last month, the UAE approved a law setting a minimum age for social media use, banning children under 15 from creating or using personal accounts. The regulation also restricts their access to full platform functionality, including posting content, commenting, sharing, and joining public groups.

Under the new rules, parental consent will not exempt minors from restrictions. The government media office said that even with parental approval, children under 15 will remain barred from using or fully accessing social media platforms.

By Vafa Guliyeva