Introduction – When the Law Meets the Digital Childhood

Children today are growing up in a world where mobile phones, social media, online games, virtual classrooms, and digital entertainment are part of daily life. While technology offers extraordinary educational and social benefits, it also exposes children to risks that were unimaginable just a decade ago—cyberbullying, harmful content, online grooming, data exploitation, behavioural addiction, and psychological manipulation.

In response to these growing concerns, the United Arab Emirates has introduced Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2025 on Child Digital Safety, which came into force on 1 January 2026. This law marks a decisive step toward making the digital world safer for children by placing binding legal obligations on digital platforms, internet providers, caregivers, and public authorities.

A Law with Wide Reach

The law applies to all digital platforms and internet service providers operating in or targeting users in the UAE. This includes social media platforms, online games, streaming services, search engines, e-commerce websites, messaging applications, virtual reality platforms, and any digital service that children may access.

Importantly, the law also imposes legal duties on parents and caregivers. Child digital safety is no longer treated as a private family issue—it is now recognised as a public legal responsibility shared by families, businesses, and regulators.

The Child Digital Safety Council

A new national body, the Child Digital Safety Council, has been established to oversee and shape the country’s digital child-protection policies. This Council is responsible for developing national strategies, reviewing emerging digital risks, proposing legislation, coordinating awareness programs, and advising the Cabinet on policy reforms to ensure that the law keeps pace with fast-changing technologies.

This ensures that child digital protection is not static but continuously updated as new online risks emerge.

Strong Protection of Children’s Personal Data

One of the most powerful aspects of the law is its strict protection of children’s personal data—especially for children under the age of 13.

Digital platforms may not collect or use a child’s personal data unless they obtain verified parental consent. Even with consent, platforms are strictly prohibited from using children’s data for commercial profiling, behavioural tracking, or targeted advertising. This effectively blocks many of the hidden marketing practices that shape children’s online behaviour without parents even realising it.

The message is clear: children are not data products.

Mandatory Age Verification and Platform Classification

Digital platforms must now implement effective age-verification systems. Platforms will be classified according to the level of risk they pose to children. The higher the risk, the stricter the controls and safeguards required.

This closes long-standing loopholes that allowed children to bypass age limits with a single click and ensures that risky platforms are subjected to enhanced monitoring and protection requirements.

Zero Tolerance for Gambling and Monetised Games

Children are strictly prohibited from accessing any form of online gambling, betting, wagering, or monetised gaming environments. Digital platforms and internet providers must actively block such content and prevent minors from creating accounts on these platforms.

This provision directly targets one of the fastest-growing digital risks facing children worldwide.

New Mandatory Child-Safety Systems for Digital Platforms

Digital platforms must now introduce robust child-protection systems.

Key Requirements for Platforms Include:

• High-privacy default settings for children’s accounts
• Content filtering and harmful-content detection
• Parental-control tools and screen-time limits
• Easy reporting tools for abuse or harmful content
• Proactive detection and removal of child-abuse material
• Mandatory cooperation with UAE authorities
• Periodic compliance reporting

Failure to comply can result in platform blocking, suspension, and financial penalties.

Legal Responsibilities of Parents and Caregivers

What Are the Specific Duties for Parents?

Parents and caregivers are legally required to monitor children’s online activities, use parental-control tools, avoid exposing children to inappropriate platforms, protect children’s privacy and dignity, and educate them about digital risks.

They must also immediately report harmful or exploitative content to authorities. Child digital safety is no longer optional—it is a legal duty.

Transition Period for Businesses

All digital platforms and service providers must bring their systems into compliance within one year from the law’s effective date. Businesses that fail to prepare may face serious regulatory consequences, including service restrictions and penalties.

Conclusion – A New Digital Era for Child Protection

This law positions the UAE as a global leader in protecting children’s digital rights. It transforms child digital safety from voluntary corporate policies into enforceable legal obligations.

In a world where children increasingly live, learn, and socialize online, this legislation sends a powerful message:

The digital future must be safe, ethical, and child centered.

To know more, please feel free to reach out.

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