The UAE’s recent decision to implement a social media ban for children under 15 has been met with widespread support from parents who have witnessed the risks firsthand. Many families have struggled with the dark side of digital platforms, ranging from exposure to inappropriate content and online predators to severe sleep deprivation and plummeting academic performance. For parents like Janet, whose daughter’s obsession with late-night scrolling led to a decline in her grades and behavioral struggles, the move provides a necessary layer of protection that she hopes will spare her younger son from similar experiences.

While the government’s intervention aims to create a safer environment, teenagers like 15-year-old Z.A.—who once dealt with an unsolicited explicit message as a pre-teen—understand both sides of the coin. He acknowledges the trauma of early exposure to harmful content but also notes the difficulty of losing a primary tool for socializing with friends. Meanwhile, parents emphasize that the ban is a vital first step in addressing the lack of digital literacy. Mothers like Ayesha hope the policy will foster more meaningful conversations about online safety, arguing that social media is a complex tool that youngsters should not be expected to navigate without proper education and boundaries.