Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are in talks with technology companies to restrict social media access to teenagers. The idea is to keep young people safe from the dangers associated with excessive online activity and interacting with elements bent upon cybercrime. Ashraf Koheil, regional sales director for Meta, opened up during the launch of Group-IB’s High-Tech Crime Trends Report 2025 in Dubai.
He said that the governments of the GCC are considering forms of regulation for social media use for persons under the age of 16 or 18, following a similar debate in Egypt. He also pointed out some tools that may be beneficial in restricting teenage social media use, namely Artificial Intelligence and identity management solutions.
Countries worldwide have already implemented measures for online protection of young users. For example, Australia passed a law in November 2024 to enforce a ban on social media for children under 16, while parental consent is required in France and some states in the USA for minors to access social media platforms. The EU has also put in place rules preventing tech companies from targeting children with personalized ads and requires that teenagers be reminded to take breaks from their devices.
In China, the Cybersecurity Law and the Minor Protection Law restrict the content exposed to minors while limiting their online time. The Netherlands has banned phones, smartwatches, and tablets in primary and secondary schools to minimize distractions.
In the UAE, public schools have banned students from bringing mobiles to class entirely on justifications of privacy and safety. Telephony regulations are also observed in private schools, with many enforcing rather rigorous rules. According to Global Media Insights, UAE residents spend an average of close to three hours on social media each day, with a sizeable proportion of users being teenagers, especially on Instagram.
Cybersecurity continues to be a top priority in the region, with the UAE being recognized as a pioneer in addressing cybercrime. Craig Jones, ex-director of cybercrime for Interpol, states that the UAE’s initiatives stand out in that regard, which include a fast and responsible reporting mechanism for victims of cybercrimes. The country is also involved in fighting regional-level threats.
The GCC would continue to engage in talks, aimed towards putting more protections in place for youth against social media risks while ensuring some degree of access to such digital platforms.
