UAE’s child digital safety law puts legal responsibility on parents from 2026

The UAE has ushered in a new era of online child protection with the enforcement of the Child Digital Safety (CDS) Law, formally known as Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2025, which came into effect on January 1, 2026.

The legislation marks a significant shift by making parents and caregivers legally accountable for their children’s digital behavior and online safety, with penalties that can reach AED 1 million in cases of serious negligence.

From guidance to legal duty

Under the new law, online safety is no longer treated as a best-practice recommendation. Instead, parents and guardians are now required to carry out what the law terms “digital due diligence”,  a proactive, continuous responsibility to protect children in digital environments. This applies to all children under 18 using internet-enabled devices, platforms, or applications within the UAE.

Key parental responsibilities under the CDS law

The legislation outlines several clear obligations for parents and caregivers:

Active monitoring : Parents must actively supervise their children’s online activities, including the platforms they use, the content they consume, and their digital interactions.

Use of parental controls: Guardians are expected to use parental control tools and content filters offered by internet service providers, device manufacturers, and digital platforms.

Age-appropriate access: Children must not be allowed access to platforms or content that exceed their age eligibility, such as social media apps with 13+ or 16+ age limits.

Protection of personal data: Parents must ensure children do not share sensitive personal information online, including location data, school details, images, or identity documents.

Mandatory reporting of harm: Any exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, online harassment, grooming, or exploitation must be reported immediately to the relevant UAE authorities.

Heavy penalties for negligence. The CDS law introduces a graduated penalty system based on the severity of the breach:

• Minor or first-time violations of monitoring duties may result in administrative fines starting at AED 5,000

• Failure to supervise resulting in risk or harm to a child can attract fines between AED 50,000 and AED 100,000

• Severe negligence, particularly where prolonged digital abandonment or exposure to serious harm is proven, can result in fines of up to AED 1 million

Courts may also require parents to attend mandatory digital rehabilitation or awareness programs aimed at improving digital literacy and child online protection practices.

Responsibilities for digital platforms

The law does not place responsibility on parents alone. Digital platforms operating in or targeting users in the UAE are also subject to strict compliance requirements, including

• Robust age verification mechanisms

• Enhanced content moderation systems

• Strong data protection and privacy safeguards

• Swift removal and reporting procedures for harmful or illegal content involving minors

Failure by platforms to comply may result in regulatory penalties, service restrictions, or legal action.

A cultural shift in digital parenting

Legal experts note that the CDS law reflects a broader policy shift in the UAE, treating digital safety as a shared social responsibility, with parents positioned as the first line of defense.

The legislation aims not only to punish negligence but also to encourage informed, engaged digital parenting in an era where children are exposed to online risks earlier than ever before.

As enforcement begins, parents across the UAE are being urged to familiarize themselves with the law, review their household digital practices, and take proactive steps to ensure compliance.