Nisna K Muhammed

Senior Legal Correspondent

Abu Dhabi, UAE – September 15, 2025:

The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court has sentenced eight individuals to prison for sexually exploiting children via online gaming platforms and social media, following investigations by the authorities. The convicted were found to have lured minors, coerced them into sharing explicit material, and possessed and exchanged indecent content involving children.

In its judgment, the court imposed prison sentences ranging between three and fifteen years, alongside fines of up to AED 1 million. The ruling also ordered the confiscation of all electronic devices used in committing the offences, the closure of related online accounts, and a ban on internet access for the convicted. In addition, three of the offenders will be deported after serving their terms. The verdict followed extensive monitoring of suspicious online activity in Abu Dhabi, which prompted investigations into possible exploitation of minors. Following the arrest of the suspects, forensic analysis of their devices confirmed the possession and distribution of child pornography.

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The Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution emphasized that the ruling reflected the UAE’s zero-tolerance stance towards crimes against children. It urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s online activity, be wary of friend requests from unknown individuals on social media or gaming platforms and educate children on how to respond if they are subjected to blackmail or inappropriate requests.

This case forms part of the UAE’s broader efforts to combat child exploitation, both locally and internationally. The country recently participated in a major global law enforcement operation under the “AI for Safer Kids” initiative, launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). The operation, led by Argentina and implemented simultaneously across 15 countries, resulted in 73 search warrants, 32 arrests, and the rescue of 15 children and adolescents. Authorities also confiscated 393 electronic devices, with 22 suspects charged for producing or distributing child sexual exploitation materials.

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The convictions are grounded in the UAE’s robust legal framework. Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrime criminalises online grooming, the possession and circulation of child pornography, and the use of digital platforms to exploit minors, while child protection statutes such as Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 (Wadeema’s Law) impose additional safeguards. The heavy sentences in this case demonstrate the country’s determination to deter such crimes and ensure accountability.

The case highlights both the increasing sophistication of predators who exploit digital ecosystems and the UAE’s growing capacity to detect, investigate, and prosecute cyber-enabled exploitation through forensic tools and international cooperation. For families, it underscores the urgent need for vigilance and digital safety education, while for offenders, it serves as a clear warning that online abuse of minors will be met with the severest penalties.