Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council has called on the Communications, Space and Technology Commission to introduce clear age verification rules and restrictions on the use of social media platforms by children under the age of 16.
The move comes as the Kingdom continues to advance digital measures aimed at protecting children in cyberspace and reducing the risks they may face online.
The council made the recommendation after listening to the views of the Transport, Communications and Information Technology Committee, presented by committee member and deputy chairman Eng. Khalid Al-Buraik. The discussion addressed members’ comments and observations on the annual report of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission for the fiscal year 1446/1447 AH.
Stronger Rules to Protect Children on Social Media
The Shura Council’s recommendation focuses on the need for more effective mechanisms to verify users’ ages and reduce children’s exposure to inappropriate content, digital exploitation, cyberbullying, and other online risks.
The step also reflects a growing global trend toward regulating children’s use of social media platforms, especially amid rising concerns over harmful content, online abuse, and the impact of excessive digital use on children’s mental and behavioral wellbeing.
Saudi Arabia Advances Child Protection in Cyberspace
Alongside the Shura Council’s call for stronger age verification rules, Saudi Arabia has already taken major steps in this area.
In 2025, the Global Cybersecurity Forum Foundation announced the launch of the Child Protection in Cyberspace Index, in cooperation with the DQ Institute and relevant international organizations.
The index was launched in line with the strategic objectives of the global initiative introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, to raise global awareness among decision-makers about the increasing cyber threats facing children and to strengthen international cooperation in response to these challenges.
A Global Index for Safer Digital Environments
The Child Protection in Cyberspace Index is designed as a global measurement tool to assess progress in building a safer digital environment for children.
It aims to evaluate national readiness, regulatory frameworks, awareness levels, and protection mechanisms available to children in the digital space.
Experts have said that the launch of the index represents an important step in raising global awareness of online risks and supporting policymakers in developing more effective strategies to protect children from growing cyber threats.
International Support for Saudi Arabia’s Initiative
Saudi Arabia’s efforts in this field gained further international recognition in July 2025, when the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted a resolution submitted by the Kingdom on the protection of children in cyberspace.
The resolution reflects the strategic goals of the Crown Prince’s global initiative and highlights Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting international action to build a safer cyberspace for children around the world.
Child Protection in Cyberspace Becomes a Regulatory Priority
The Shura Council’s call for age verification rules confirms that child protection in cyberspace is no longer only a technical issue but a broader regulatory and social priority.
As children’s use of the internet and social media continues to grow, clearer policies are becoming essential to balance the benefits of digital access with the need to protect younger users from online risks.
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