Discover. Discuss. Connect. Across The UAE

Under new UAE regulations announced in June 2026, children under the age of 15 will not be allowed to create or use personal social media accounts, with platforms given until mid-2027 to implement stronger age-verification systems. Acceptable verification methods may include government digital IDs, biometric checks, AI-based age estimation and other approved technologies. Experts say the rules aim to protect children from risks such as cyberbullying, anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, exposure to inappropriate content and online predators, but stress that parental guidance and school support remain essential. They also warn that using VPNs to bypass the age restrictions could lead to penalties if used to access prohibited content. Do you support banning social media for children under 15, or do you believe responsible parental supervision is a better approach? Why?

Yes, but not because the star itself changes the weather. Suhail, also known as Canopus, is expected to rise on August 24, traditionally signalling the gradual end of the UAE’s most intense summer heat and the start of the roughly 40-day Sufriya transition. Temperatures will not suddenly drop, and hot conditions can continue through September, but nights may gradually become cooler before more settled weather arrives around mid-October. For generations, Suhail served as a natural seasonal calendar, helping communities plan farming, fishing, travel and other activities long before modern weather forecasting.

Do you still look for Suhail as a sign that summer is ending, or do you rely entirely on modern weather forecasts? Share your views.

Businesses across the UAE will pay annual music licensing fees from December 1, 2026, under a new Ministry of Economy and Tourism framework. Restaurants and cafés will pay from Dh1,500, while shops will pay from Dh1,700, with higher charges for larger establishments and venues offering DJs or entertainment. Shopping malls face fees of up to Dh50,000 a year, while hotels, fitness centres, broadcasters and airlines are also covered under the new structure. The fees are intended to protect copyright and ensure creators, composers, performers and music producers receive royalties.

Yes. Families travelling to the UAE between July 15 and September 15 can benefit from an annual tourist visa fee waiver for children under 18 years old travelling with one or both parents. The exemption applies to both 30-day and 60-day tourist visas, provided the child's visa application is submitted together with the accompanying parent's application. However, the waiver covers only the visa application fee—parents may still need to pay travel insurance and travel agency service charges, which typically total around Dh120 per child, depending on the agency. If a child is travelling with only one parent, an undertaking letter may also be required. Do you think the UAE should make children's tourist visas completely free, including insurance and processing charges, to encourage more family tourism? Why or why not?

India's Baggage Rules, 2026 have simplified the duty-free allowance for gold jewellery by removing the earlier value limits and introducing weight-based exemptions. Eligible NRIs, returning Indian residents who have lived abroad for more than one year, and tourists of Indian origin can now bring up to 40 grams of gold jewellery duty-free for women and 20 grams for men. The exemption applies only to gold jewellery, not to gold bars, coins, biscuits or bullion, which remain subject to customs declaration and applicable duties. Jewellery exceeding the prescribed limit must be declared, with customs duty payable on the excess to avoid penalties or confiscation. The updated rules also include higher duty-free baggage allowances, simplified declarations, duty-free import of one laptop for eligible passengers, and easier transfer-of-residence benefits. If you're travelling from the UAE to India this summer, do you think the new weight-based gold allowance makes the rules clearer and more convenient?

The first foldable iPhone from Apple — often referred to as the “iPhone Fold” — may be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18, but is expected to ship later due to the complexity of foldable technology. Experts like Mark Gurman highlight that foldable displays are among the most advanced and difficult components to manufacture, requiring extra time for testing and refinement. Apple has followed a similar strategy before, such as with the iPhone X, where a new design was announced early but released later to ensure quality. So, any delay is less about issues and more about Apple perfecting a completely new form factor. What do you think — would you wait longer for a foldable iPhone, or stick with a regular model?

UAE residents aged 18 and above can enter Dear Big Ticket Season 4 for free without purchasing a Big Ticket. From August 3 to 23, participants can submit a personal wish in writing or as a one-minute video across categories including health, education, housing, business and family. After public voting from September 7 to 27, six winning stories will receive Dh100,000, while nine other shortlisted participants will get Dh10,000. This season, however, one of those nine Dh10,000 winners will get a “Second Chance”, with their prize upgraded to Dh100,000.

Would you take part in a free opportunity like this, and what wish would you submit? Share your views.

Yes, eligible UAE residents can visit Montenegro visa-free for up to 10 days under a temporary scheme running until October 1, 2026. To qualify, travellers must have held continuous UAE residency for at least three years, fly directly from the UAE to Montenegro, carry a passport valid for their stay, and present a confirmed hotel booking or tour package plus a return ticket. The exemption is not a visa on arrival and cannot be extended, while travellers transiting through another country may need to follow Montenegro's normal visa rules. UAE citizens have separate visa-free access for up to 90 days. After arrival, visitors generally need to be registered with local authorities within 24 hours, usually through their hotel or accommodation provider. Would this temporary visa-free scheme make Montenegro a more attractive summer destination for you, or would the 10-day limit and direct-flight requirement be a drawback?

The rest of 2026 is expected to bring several developments that could shape daily life across the UAE, including the expansion of Etihad Rail passenger services with new stations opening in Dubai, Al Dhaid, and Al Dhafra, improving connectivity between emirates. Residents can also look forward to two remaining public holidays, including Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) birthday and UAE National Day, subject to official announcements. In addition, new attractions, including a museum and other leisure experiences, are expected to open, offering more entertainment and cultural opportunities. What are your views? Which upcoming development are you most excited about, and how do you think these changes will improve life in the UAE?

UAE parents may need to budget significantly for the new academic year, with tuition fees varying widely from around Dh4,100 at budget-friendly schools to more than Dh95,000 at premium institutions. Additional back-to-school expenses such as uniforms, books, stationery, devices, activities and transport can add roughly Dh2,000 to Dh10,000 or more per child. Financial experts recommend creating an education cash-flow plan, accounting for every expected expense and employer allowances, and setting aside money regularly before payments are due.

What are your views? Do you think back-to-school expenses in the UAE have become too expensive, or are there enough affordable options for parents?