Page 56 - MOET PR REPORT FEB 2026

Education, Human Development and Community Development Council discusses regulating
children's use of social media during its second meeting in 2026

16th February 2026, 01:56 GMT+11

ABU DHABI, 15th February, 2026 -- The Education, Human Development and Community
Development Council held its second meeting of 2026, chaired by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed
Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of the Council.

Present at the meeting was H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-
Chairperson of the Council.

The meeting focused on topics of high priority such as regulating the use of social media by
children, promoting robust digital safety measures for children, the development of education
policies and curricula, and the results of students' standardised assessments.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that regulating children's use of social media is a
national responsibility that requires the development of clear frameworks. These frameworks, the
Chairman emphasised, must match the advanced technological transformations and be solid
enough to provide a safe and balanced digital environment for future generations.

He further explained that the proposed direction is informed by a carefully evaluated, phased, risk-
based implementation strategy. This approach prioritises social media platforms, given their
significant influence and widespread use among children, and incorporates age-based access
regulations tailored to the distinct needs and developmental stages of younger age groups. This will
allow the balance between leveraging the opportunities offered by modern technologies and
safeguarding societal values.

In addition, the Chairman emphasised the importance of the integration of policies related to
children, community, and education as this builds the foundation for strengthening family, social,
and developmental stability. This integration also promotes generational readiness and supports
the country's long-term competitiveness.

The Council Chairman noted that the real impact of policies is measured by their ability to
contribute to the building of confident individuals who are proud of their identity, equipped with the
necessary skills, and capable of actively contributing to the nation's development journey.
During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan underscored the importance of
formulating comprehensive national policies grounded in the unique characteristics of the Emirati
society. These policies must be responsive to societal needs and aspirations, and adaptable to
accelerating global transformations. Such policies should be designed to ensure sustainable
impact, enhance quality of life, and strengthen long-term investment in human capital.

Furthermore, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised the need to strengthen
community awareness and ensure effective integration among stakeholders in regulating children's
use of social media. This includes coordinated engagement across social, technical, educational,
security, media, and health sectors to advance a balanced framework that combines appropriate
regulation with empowerment and fosters the responsible use of modern technologies.
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community-development-council-discusses-regulating-children-use-of-social-media-during-its-
second-meeting-in-2026