Children today are growing up in an environment where digital interaction is no longer optional, it is woven into education, entertainment, and social life. From online classrooms and video streaming to social media and gaming platforms, the digital world offers immense opportunities for learning and creativity. At the same time, it exposes children to serious risks, including harmful content, misuse of personal data, cyber exploitation, and excessive or addictive online behaviour.
In response to these growing concerns, the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), enacted Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2025 on Child Digital Safety (“Child Digital Safety Law”), which came into force on 1 January 2026. The law introduces a structured and forward-looking legal framework aimed at protecting children under the age of 18 in the digital environment, while continuing to support innovation, access to technology, and the evolving needs of a digital society.
Purpose and Scope of the Law
At its core, the Child Digital Safety Law seeks to ensure that children are able to engage with digital platforms in a manner that is safe, age-appropriate, and respectful of their rights. It focuses on protecting children’s physical, psychological, moral, and social well-being while they are online, and on encouraging responsible digital behaviour among both children and their caregivers.
The scope of Child Digital Safety Law is intentionally broad. It applies not only to digital platforms and internet service providers operating within the UAE, but also to those targeting users in the UAE, regardless of their place of establishment. This includes social media platforms, websites, streaming and on-demand services, online games, messaging applications, e-commerce platforms, and virtual or metaverse environments. In addition, the law expressly recognises the role of parents and legal caregivers, placing certain responsibilities on them as part of a shared approach to child protection.
Enhanced Responsibilities for Digital Platforms and Service Providers
One of the most significant aspects of the Child Digital Safety Law is the clear set of obligations imposed on digital platforms. Platforms are required to implement enhanced child protection measures that correspond to the level of risk associated with their content and services. These measures include default privacy settings for children’s accounts, content filtering, age classification systems, limits on excessive engagement, and reliable age-verification mechanisms.
The Child Digital Safety Law also introduces strict safeguards around the collection and use of children’s personal data, particularly for children under the age of 13. Personal data may only be collected with verified parental consent, platforms must clearly explain how such data is used, and children’s data may not be exploited for commercial purposes or targeted advertising. These provisions directly address concerns surrounding digital profiling and behavioural advertising aimed at minors.
In addition, digital platforms must provide clear and accessible tools for reporting harmful content, proactively detect child sexual exploitation material, and promptly report serious violations to the relevant authorities. Internet service providers are similarly required to implement content-filtering systems and parental control tools at the network level.
Protection from Harmful Content and Online Exploitation
The Child Digital Safety Law adopts a firm and proactive approach to protecting children from content that may negatively affect their moral, psychological, or social development. This includes harmful media content, exploitative advertising, and digital practices designed to encourage excessive or unhealthy levels of engagement.
Of particular importance is the absolute prohibition on children accessing online commercial games, including gambling-related activities or games involving financial gain. Platforms and service providers are expected to actively prevent access to such content, rather than relying solely on warnings or disclaimers.
The Child Digital Safety Law also strengthens the national framework for responding to child pornography and digital abuse. It requires immediate reporting, close cooperation with law enforcement authorities, and the swift removal of illegal content. This coordinated approach ensures that digital risks are addressed not only at the platform level, but also through effective regulatory and criminal enforcement mechanisms.
The Role of Parents and caregivers
Unlike many digital regulations that focus primarily on corporate responsibility, the Child Digital Safety Law clearly acknowledges the critical role of parents and caregivers in protecting children online. Caregivers are expected to monitor children’s digital activities, make use of parental control tools, and avoid creating or permitting access to age-inappropriate accounts.
They are also required to respect children’s privacy and dignity, and to refrain from exploiting children online or exposing them to harm, bullying, or emotional distress. At the same time, the Child Digital Safety Law encourages caregivers to educate children about healthy digital habits, including the risks associated with excessive screen time, fostering awareness and guidance rather than constant surveillance.
Institutional Oversight and Public Awareness
To support effective implementation, the Child Digital Safety Law establishes a Child Digital Safety Council, chaired by the Minister of Family. The Council is responsible for developing national policies, proposing regulations, monitoring emerging risks, and ensuring coordination between government entities and the private sector.
In addition, the Child Digital Safety Law mandates the creation of a national digital safety awareness system, involving schools, healthcare institutions, digital platforms, and families. By integrating education, health, and technology initiatives, the UAE aims to build a sustainable culture of safe, informed, and responsible digital use.
Conclusion
The Child Safety Law marks a significant step in aligning child protection laws with the realities of the digital age. Rather than restricting access to technology, the Child Safety Law promotes responsible digital design, informed supervision, and shared accountability among platforms, service providers, caregivers, and the state.
By combining robust data protection standards, clear platform obligations, parental involvement, and national awareness initiatives, the UAE has positioned itself as a leader in child digital safety regulation. Ultimately, the law seeks to ensure that children are able to explore, learn, and grow online, without compromising their safety, dignity, or future.
Note: This Legal Update / Newsletter is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. It is based on laws and legal interpretations in effect as of the date of publication. Laws and regulations may change over time, and their application can vary depending on individual circumstances. Readers are strongly encouraged to seek specific legal counsel before acting on any of the information provided herein.rian and religious purpose in accordance with the law.