UAE Unveils National Framework for Children's Content Across Media
The framework was developed with children's input, ensuring age-appropriate content reflects their perspectives and needs.
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The UAE has introduced new standards to improve the quality of content children access on social media, marking the latest step in its broader effort to strengthen online safety for young users.
Maitha Majid Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of the Media Strategy and Policy Sector at the National Media Authority, unveiled the initiative and announced that the new frameworks would be developed in partnership with the Child Digital Safety Council and serve as a national blueprint for parties such as media organizations, digital platforms, content creators, and families alike.
“We do not have a challenge with the abundance of content or ease of access,” Al Suwaidi said. “Our challenge is the quality of the content presented to the child. We are not just talking about protecting children from risks; we are talking about supporting media content that develops their skills and instills positive values.”
The new standards are set to be designed with children in the loop. Their perspectives will be key to defining what content is appropriate and beneficial for each age group.
Under the initiative, the National Media Authority will introduce two key frameworks to help parents make more informed decisions about the content their children consume.
The first is a national media content standard for children that defines what content is appropriate for different age groups. The second is an age-classification policy and guidance framework covering artistic and media works across social media, digital platforms, books, films, and music.
Al Suwaidi noted that the National Media Authority will continuously monitor media content directed at children and assess its compliance with national standards and applicable legislation.
“Protecting children extends beyond shielding them from harm to actively supporting content that enriches knowledge, develops capabilities, and reinforces positive societal values,” she said.
The framework aims to reinforce the country’s existing media governance structure, while placing greater responsibility on media organizations and digital platforms.
“The success of the decision will ultimately be measured by its ability to strengthen children’s safety in the digital environment, raise public awareness, empower families, and reinforce platforms’ compliance with the prescribed regulatory requirements and standards for content intended for children,” she added.
The initiative was unveiled alongside a broader Cabinet Resolution on children’s social media access, which sets 15 as the minimum age for creating social media accounts and introduces AI-powered identity verification.
