The UAE has been keen to protect children’s rights from cybercrimes, and issued Federal Law No. 34 of 2021 to combat rumours and cybercrimes, which included severe penalties against those who assault children, up to imprisonment, and a fine of up to one million dirhams, or one of the two penalties.

The law also seeks to punish anyone who exploits modern technology to assault children and violate their rights, especially those who exploit electronic games to communicate with them.

Previous Laws

In this context, Nassar Hussein, a legal advisor, confirmed that “the UAE is one of the pioneering countries in enacting electronic laws that protect society, especially children as a category that can be exploited through websites and games.”

He pointed out that “the law punishes with imprisonment for a period of not less than two years, and a fine of not less than 250 thousand dirhams and not more than one million dirhams, or one of the two penalties, anyone who deliberately incites, seduces or helps a child to broadcast, prepare or send pornographic material, using an information network or one of the means of information technology.”

Temporary Imprisonment

He added, “The penalty shall be temporary imprisonment and a fine not exceeding one million dirhams, if the subject of the pornographic materials prepared or sent is this child, and the child victim shall not be held criminally liable for any actions committed as a result of incitement and seduction.”

Imprisonment and Fine

He explained that “the law also punishes, with imprisonment for a period of not less than 6 months, and a fine of not less than 150 thousand dirhams, and not more than one million dirhams, anyone who intentionally possesses pornographic materials for children electronically.