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Schools in the United Arab Emirates are reviewing ways of interacting with students under 15 following the introduction of new rules restricting access to social media. Educators warn that this change may affect children's access to school information and maintaining peer connections.

Although some educational institutions already use official platforms for administrative and academic communication, the withdrawal from social media may be felt more acutely by students accustomed to using digital channels to communicate with friends and stay connected to the wider school community.

Claire Scowen, Vice President of Risk and Global Head of Child Protection at GEMS Education, noted that children may react to changes differently: some adapt quickly, while others might initially feel isolated or worry about missing out on something important.

Scowen emphasized that schools need to maintain contact with students and consider their concerns so they continue to feel part of school life. Furthermore, she advised parents and schools to watch for behavioral changes such as withdrawal, mood swings, increased anxiety or irritability, changes in friend groups, or statements of exclusion.

However, Scowen cautioned that such changes are not necessarily caused by reduced social media access, making it crucial for adults to talk to children and understand the broader context.

She also strongly recommended that schools and families should not replace social media with increased screen time on other platforms. Instead, they should encourage children to find a balance between digital activity, sleep, physical exercise, hobbies, family time, and in-person interaction.

The transition was less noticeable at RAK Academy because the school had initially used school-managed channels instead of social media for official announcements. Leigh Watson, Head of Positive Engagement at RAK Academy, reported that parents receive emails from the entire Academy when necessary, and middle school students receive updates through their school email accounts and Google Classroom. Primary schools interact with families via ClassDojo.

The school also utilizes teachers, assemblies, email, and Google Classroom to inform students about events, clubs, and other activities. According to Watson, this approach allows students to not depend on personal social media accounts for school life information, as teachers can inform them directly about opportunities.

RAK Academy also focuses on in-person interaction, as students spend less time on social media, which is facilitated through sports, clubs, enrichment activities, and student-led programs.

At Credence High School, communication with students and parents was also conducted through official channels, including a parent portal and app, while Google Classrooms are used for assignments, project work, and learning materials. Dipika Tappar Singh, CEO and Principal of Credence High School, called for attention to children who become withdrawn, less talkative about friends, or reluctant to participate in school activities.

She also warned against simply replacing one screen habit with another, recommending instead activities such as reading, performing arts, visual arts, and sports as ways to maintain children's interest. These changes force schools to consider not only how younger students receive academic and administrative information but also how they continue to participate in events and maintain social connections amid changing social media access.

According to a new study by LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network, the vast majority of professionals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) intend to continue living and working in the country over the next six to twelve months. Furthermore, 66% of respondents stated a firm intention to remain.

These results underscore the sustained role of the UAE as a global hub for talent and innovation. Moreover, recent data from LinkedIn and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs demonstrated that the UAE recorded one of the strongest hiring recoveries post-pandemic among major global markets in 2025. Early data from June 2026 indicates a resumption of hiring recovery and international talent flows following instability in the first half of the year.

Despite the strong desire of UAE professionals to build their future in the country, many are not actively participating in professional communities that could help them navigate the rapidly changing job market. Almost all respondents—96%—consider their professional network important for navigating a career shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid workplace changes. However, 74% noted that they regularly or frequently view online content related to work or career but do not participate in it actively.

The study revealed a gap between recognizing the value of a professional network and knowing how to use it. Approximately 42% reported uncertainty about where to start, while 41% said they did not know how to turn contacts into meaningful relationships. Barriers related to confidence were also identified: four out of ten professionals (40%) worry about bothering people or wasting their time, while 33% fear judgment. More than half, specifically 58%, stated they had not received enough guidance on how to build professional connections or develop their network.

Nevertheless, the results suggest that professionals may underestimate others' willingness to help. About 86% stated that they would very likely respond to or support someone seeking career assistance, even if they were not personally acquainted with them. The study found that while career opportunities in the UAE still depend on skills, networks help translate those skills into visibility and momentum. 39% believe having the right skills and experience gives them the greatest chance of securing new opportunities, while 25% point to a strong professional network, and 23% to online visibility.

The value of these networks is already yielding results: 42% reported that online professional communities helped them expand their knowledge, and 41% reported establishing a contact that supported their career. Najat Abdelhadi, a career expert at LinkedIn, noted: 'The UAE continues to be a place where people come to build ambitious long-term careers. But in a rapidly changing job market, skills alone are not enough. Visibility and relationships are also important, especially for people just starting their journey in the country, early in their careers, or looking to transition to a new sector.'

She added that networking does not require starting with a big request or a perfectly written message. 'Small interactions add up to big things: LinkedIn members receive connection requests almost three times more often and messages almost five times more often if they have interacted with a post from one of their contacts.'

The study was conducted by Censuswide from July 20 to August 10, 2026, among 625 full-time or part-time respondents in the UAE, aged 18 to 80.