A proposed law that would see children under the age of 15 banned from creating social media accounts was reviewed yesterday by the Shura Council’s woman and child affairs committee as Bahrain addresses growing concern over the risks faced by youngsters online.
The draft legislation, which would amend the Child Law – issued under Law No 37 of 2012 – was discussed during the committee’s meeting, chaired by Ejlal Bubshait.
Ms Bubshait said the proposal seeks to strike a careful balance between protecting children online and respecting Bahrain’s national legislative framework and the realities of how digital platforms are used.
“Children today are growing up in a digital environment that presents both opportunities and serious risks,” she said.
“This proposed law aims to ensure their safety in the digital space while remaining aligned with our national values and practical realities.”
One of the most significant elements of the draft law would be a ban on digital platforms creating accounts for children living in Bahrain under the age of 15. Currently you can be as young as 13 to use some of the most popular sites.
Platforms would also be required to provide effective tools for verifying users’ ages and enforcing age-based restrictions. In addition, platforms would be legally obligated to implement appropriate child-protection measures, tailored to the nature of their services and the level of risk associated with their content.
For teenagers aged 15 to 18, the proposal requires digital platforms to regulate usage through specific safeguards designed to reduce exposure to harmful or inappropriate material.
The proposal introduces an entirely new chapter to the law titled ‘Child Digital Safety’, reflecting the increasing impact of digital platforms on children’s lives.
Australia implemented a landmark social media ban on popular sites including Instagram and Facebook last month to stop those aged under 16 from having accounts on these platforms. About 550,000 accounts were blocked by Meta during the first days of Australia’s social media ban, according to the BBC.
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