UAE media authority takes legal action over online bullying of child with disabilities
The UAE's National Media Authority said it has taken legal action against an individual who posted social media content bullying a child with disabilities. The National reports the content was reportedly posted from Saudi Arabia, where authorities are also acting.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2The UAE's National Media Authority said on Friday 9 October that it had taken legal action against an individual who published social media content involving the bullying of a child with disabilities. Gulf NewsN “The UAE's National Media Authority has taken legal action against an individual who published social media content involving the bullying of a child with disabilities” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “the National Media Authority said on Friday” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 2The authority said the content included inappropriate gestures (Gulf News) or innuendo (The National) that violated the country's social values and standards of conduct. Gulf NewsN “inappropriate gestures that violated the country's social values and standards of conduct” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “The video contained inappropriate innuendo that violates the country’s societal values and morals” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 2In its statement, the authority said it had coordinated with the social media platform to act against the account and the person responsible, and had notified the competent authorities to take legal measures. Gulf NewsN “it had coordinated with the relevant social media platform to take action against the account and the person responsible for publishing the content” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “It also notified authorities to pursue legal measures.” Read at The National ↗
Centre · 2It reaffirmed its rejection of abuse and bullying in all forms and its commitment to protecting children and people with disabilities and their dignity. Gulf NewsN “The authority reaffirmed its rejection of abuse and bullying in all forms” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “stressing its commitment to protecting children and people with disabilities, preserving their dignity” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1The National reports that the child's father appealed to Saudi authorities to investigate under the Child Protection Law; the boy is under 15 and the father condemned the alleged mockery and mistreatment of his son. The NationalN “The child’s father had also appealed to authorities in Saudi Arabia to investigate the incident and ensure justice for his son under the Child Protection Law.” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said on Friday that the complaint had been referred to authorities and procedures were under way under the kingdom's child protection law. The NationalN “Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said on Friday that the complaint, which circulated on social media, had been referred to authorities and procedures were under way” Read at The National ↗
Centre · 1According to The National, the content was reportedly posted by an individual in Saudi Arabia, and the account has since taken down the post and video. The NationalN “Although the content was reportedly posted by an individual in Saudi Arabia”“The account has since taken down the post and video.” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1The National also outlines UAE legal protections, including Federal Law No 3 of 2016 (Wadeema's Law) on child rights, the cybercrime law, Federal Decree-Law No 26 of 2025 on Child Digital Safety, and Dubai Law No 3 of 2022 on the inclusion of people of determination. The NationalN “Federal Law No 3 of 2016 on Child Rights, known as Wadeema’s Law, safeguards children against abuse.”“Federal Decree-Law No 26 of 2025 on Child Digital Safety strengthens protection against online risks” Read at The National ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both UAE-based outlets relay the National Media Authority's statement as a straightforward news report of official action; The National adds the Saudi dimension and legal background.
- Emphasis
- Official enforcement, protection of children and people with disabilities, and (The National) the legal framework.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither names the individual or gives details of the charges; Gulf News does not mention the Saudi link or the father's appeal.
- Charged language
- “child of determination”“person of determination”
- For example
-
“upholding the values of society” — Gulf News
“the UAE maintains a robust legal framework to protect children, combat cyberbullying and address online abuse” — The National
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The UAE National Media Authority said it took legal action against an individual over content bullying a child with disabilities.
- It coordinated with the social media platform and notified authorities.
Where accounts differ
-
Nature of the offending content
- Centre
- Gulf News says it included inappropriate gestures; The National says it was a video with inappropriate innuendo.
UAE National Media Authority organisation
Says it coordinated with the platform, notified authorities for legal measures, and rejects all abuse and bullying.
“It also notified the competent authorities to take the necessary legal measures in accordance with the law.” — Gulf News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
-
UAE takes legal action over social media bullying of child of determination
Neutral Short report relaying the authority's statement on legal action.
-
UAE and Saudi Arabia take legal action over online bullying of child with disabilities
Neutral Adds the Saudi response and a long list of UAE laws, presenting the UAE framework as robust.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 9 Oct 16:40 First Gulf NewsN UAE takes legal action over social media bullying of child of determination
- 10 Oct 08:34 +15h 54m The NationalN UAE and Saudi Arabia take legal action over online bullying of child with disabilities
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.