“Why were we banned from using social media platforms?” Two children ask the Minister of Family about the ban

In a scene that caught the attention of the audience during the media briefing held today, Wednesday, to review the details of the Council of Ministers’ decision for the year 2026 regarding regulating children’s access to social media platforms, the two child content creators (Youssef Raed) and (Issa) raised a direct question to the Minister of Family: “Why has the use of social media platforms been banned for children under 15 years old?”

For her part, the Minister of Family and Chair of the Child Digital Safety Council, Sanaa Suhail, expressed her pride in the two children, saying: “The UAE is always working to provide the appropriate environment for their growth and upbringing in a balanced and comprehensive manner.”

She explained that the decision to regulate children’s access to social media platforms was not issued individually, but rather came after scientific studies and broad participation from federal and local authorities and the social, educational, health and technical sectors, in addition to social media platforms, stressing that the first and last goal is to protect the interest of the child.

She stressed that the Child Digital Safety Council includes comprehensive representation of several bodies at the federal and local levels, and also includes the social, educational, health and technical sectors, and therefore any decision we reach is not a single decision, but rather a decision that is carefully considered.

She added: “This decision did not come alone, and there are other countries, as you know, that took the initiative in this direction, so it is based on a thoughtful scientific aspect. We thank you for your cooperation, and we will not do anything except in the interest of the child.”

She continued: “I want to add an important point to the question that is always asked: Why this age? The stage under the age of fifteen is a sensitive stage in a child’s development, which is the stage of puberty and adolescence, and is considered a transitional stage or a bridge through which the child moves to adulthood. If the structure at this stage is not correct, in terms of the content to which the child is exposed, and how he is exposed to this content continuously and for long hours, then we will lose an essential aspect that we focus on, which is building personality, identity and culture.”

She said: “Culture is not built only through exposure to content, but rather through practice. If a child wastes all his time being exposed to content and being shaped by different content, he will not be able to practice the things he needs for the proper transition to adulthood.”

She stressed, “This is what we need greatly in the UAE. We want every child we have in the country, whether Emirati or resident, to be an active person, whether he continues in the UAE or is anywhere else.”