The UAE on Thursday announced that children under the age of 15 will be banned from accessing social media platforms.
Children under the age of 15 will not be permitted to create or use personal accounts on social media platforms or access their full features, under the new resolution.
Social media platforms in the country will be required to monitor any accounts created by children under the age of 15 and take immediate action. Those accounts would then either be suspended or disabled, under provisions of the new resolution.
However, children between the ages of 15 and 16 will be allowed regulated access to these platforms, subject to enhanced protective measures applied to their accounts.
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Currently, social media platforms allow users to self-declare their age. This is not considered a reliable method to verify the age of children, and will no longer be accepted as a valid method of verification.
So, how will this new law be implemented?
Platforms will be required to use age verification mechanisms to verify the digital identity of the child.
They can use AI-supported technologies like biometric tools or any other such mechanisms that are approved by the Child Digital Safety Council, to enure a high level of accuracy in determining user age.
Verification mechanisms will be subject to regular review, and clear information will be provided to users on how they operate.
How will children’s data be used and/or stored?
Age verification measures will be implemented in adherence to the highest standards of child privacy and personal data protection, which includes minimising data collection, securing data processing, and ensuring data is not retained beyond the period strictly necessary.
The data of children using social media will not be used for personalised advertising based on tracking or behavioural profiling. Their personal data will not be processed for commercial purposes that require tracking their digital activities.
What if a parent allows their child to access social media?
Even if parents consent to their child accessing social media platforms, this will not be constituted as a valid exemption.
Parents of children between the ages of 15 and 16 will be given controls to configure their child’s account settings. They, however, will not be able to override preset restrictions.
Caregivers will also be held responsible for supervising their child’s digital activity and teaching them safe online practices.
Role of authorities in implementation
The National Media Authority and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority will supervise the platforms’ compliance.
These authorities will be able to take all necessary measures in the event of non-compliance, including warning the platforms, partially or fully blocking them, or imposing applicable administrative penalties.
The Child Digital Safety Council will also assess the risk and impact associated with children’s access to social media platforms, propose the necessary measures to address and mitigate them. The Council will ensure the effective implementation of the resolution and the continuous development of the child digital safety framework.
Source: Khaleej Times