Gulf countries to consider restricting social media access for teens
Technology firms are in discussions with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations about creating systems to monitor and control social media access for teenagers.
The governments of Gulf Cooperation Council countries want to control teenagers' access to social media platforms. Regional leaders are debating the need to implement social media controls for users who are younger than 16 or 18 years old. At a Dubai conference Ashraf Koheil from Meta said the age debate in Egypt shares similarities with current discussions.
During the unveiling of Group-IB’s High-Tech Crime Trends Report 2025 Koheil announced he would go to Australia to deliver information about the report's subject matter. Artificial intelligence (AI) along with identity management solutions can provide effective ways to monitor and restrict teenage social media usage.
Governments worldwide have established social media limitations for adolescents due to widespread smartphone use which allows teenagers to access social media for prolonged periods exposing them to cybercriminal threats.
In November 2024 Australia established a social media ban for children under 16 years old. France and several US states have enacted legislation that prevents minors from accessing certain services unless they have obtained parental consent.
The European Union banned technology giants from showing personalized ads to children and required them to remind teenagers to take breaks and disable autoplay features.
China implemented its Cybersecurity Law and Minor Protection Law to establish content restrictions for children online and enforce daily usage time limits for online services.
The Netherlands implemented a policy that prohibits smart devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches, and tablets in primary and secondary schools because they create distractions and negatively affect students' academic performance.
UAE public schools prohibit students from bringing mobile phones because they aim to protect student safety and privacy. The Ministry of Education's November directive states that possession of phones in school when caught repeatedly leads to a month-long device confiscation.
Schools around the country have implemented bans or strict regulations for phone usage on their premises. Senior students at certain schools can bring mobile phones as long as they adhere to specific strict rules. Most school networks deploy filters which prevent students from accessing social media sites.
The typical UAE resident possesses multiple social media accounts. According to Global Media Insights people from all age brackets spend almost three hours daily on social media platforms. A major portion of Instagram’s user base in the UAE consists of young people, with teenagers representing a significant part of that demographic.
More than half of the youth population in the GCC consists of people who are younger than 25 years old.
UAE leads
The High-Tech Crime Trends Report 2025 identified internet services as the primary target sector for phishing attacks in the Middle East and Africa.
Dmitry Volkov, CEO and co-founder of Group-IB, reported that telecommunications and financial services faced significant threats alongside professional services and logistics during the region's digital system expansion.
According to Craig Jones, who previously led Interpol's cybercrime division, the UAE stands at the forefront of regional cybersecurity efforts.
The UAE maintains strong performance in its cybersecurity operations. There's a good reporting mechanism in place. The police now have a dedicated online reporting portal for cybercrime victims to submit their reports. Jones emphasized excellent intergovernmental collaboration within the government entities. The UAE holds a position of regional leadership. The UAE participates in the counter-ransomware initiative. The UAE plays a critical role in solving this issue because it understands the significance of information sharing to fight cybercrimes.
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