3 pillars for regulating children’s access to “communication” platforms

The Minister of Family, Sanaa bint Mohammed Suhail, confirmed that the Cabinet’s decision of 2026 regarding regulating children’s access to social media platforms does not aim to restrict the use of technology or deprive children of opportunities to benefit from it, but rather regulates access to it according to scientific and regulatory foundations that take into account the needs of each age stage, and provide levels of protection commensurate with the nature of the child’s growth and development.
She said, during a media briefing held today, Wednesday, to review the details of the decision, that the decision is based on three main pillars, the first of which is regulating children’s access to social media platforms according to clear age controls that ensure the provision of appropriate levels of protection for each age group, while the second pillar focuses on enhancing the responsibility of digital platforms, so that protecting children becomes an essential part of the design and operation of these platforms, by implementing effective mechanisms for age verification, providing appropriate protection tools, and managing content and interaction patterns in a manner consistent with the requirements of digital safety and child development.
She added that the third pillar is to empower the family by providing it with tools and guidance that enhance its ability to supervise and guide, without holding it solely responsible for facing digital challenges, stressing that the decision establishes a balanced and clear distribution of responsibilities between the family, digital platforms, government agencies, educational institutions, and the media.
She explained that child protection in the digital age is no longer limited to regulating the use of technology or reducing its risks, but has become an integral part of the national development system, as an essential element in building a more cohesive society and preparing generations with the ability to deal consciously and responsibly with digital transformations.
She stressed that the state’s vision is based on a clear principle of enabling children to benefit from the opportunities offered by the digital world, while protecting them from risks that may affect their growth and comprehensive development, noting that digital transformation is no longer a future challenge, but rather has become a daily reality in which social media platforms play an influential role in shaping children’s awareness, behavior and relationships.
She said that this reality necessitated moving from the awareness stage to building an integrated regulatory framework that keeps pace with digital transformations, and defines the responsibilities of all parties, in order to achieve a balance between benefiting from technology and protecting children from its risks. She stressed that the decision represents a shift in the philosophy of government work from dealing with risks after they occur to a proactive preventive approach that focuses on managing them before they occur, and establishes a sustainable digital safety system based on prevention, partnership, and governance.
The Minister of Family stressed that the success of the decision will not be achieved through legislation alone, but rather through the integration of roles between all partners, stressing that the family represents the primary custodian of the child, while educational institutions play a pivotal role in building digital awareness and skills, and government agencies work to develop policies and regulatory frameworks, and the media is a major partner in spreading awareness and promoting a culture of safe and responsible use of technology.