Parents across the UAE are being urged to reassess how they manage their children’s digital lives following the introduction of a new Child Digital Safety Law that prioritises prevention of online harm over reactive enforcement.
The legislation shifts primary legal responsibility onto digital platforms and service providers, requiring them to design safer, age-appropriate online environments. While parents are not subject to fines or penalties for their children’s online behaviour, the law clearly establishes an expectation of reasonable parental supervision.
Legal and cybersecurity experts explain that reasonable supervision does not mean constant monitoring or invading a child’s privacy. Instead, it involves understanding which platforms children use, ensuring age-appropriate accounts, enabling parental controls, discussing online safety openly, and reporting harmful content when necessary.
Security specialists stress that children’s data protection is a key focus of the law. Platforms must minimise data collection, limit targeted advertising—particularly for children under 13—and adopt strong privacy-by-default settings.
Sharing adult accounts with children is now considered a major risk, as it can bypass safety mechanisms designed for younger users. Experts advise that children should have individual, age-appropriate accounts, set up with parental involvement.
The law also expands the definition of harmful content beyond explicit material to include content that negatively impacts a child’s emotional, moral, or social wellbeing. This includes grooming, harassment, unhealthy body standards, excessive screen-time encouragement, and pressure to share personal information.
Ultimately, the law reframes digital parenting as an ongoing responsibility—one rooted in guidance, communication, and regular review—rather than strict control or surveillance.
