ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has joined a growing global debate over children’s access to social media after a Punjab lawmaker this week submitted a resolution calling on the federal government to restrict social media accounts for children under 16 and introduce mandatory age-verification measures.
The proposal comes as governments around the world tighten restrictions aimed at protecting children online. Australia last year became the first country to require major social media platforms to prevent users under 16 from holding accounts, while the United Kingdom plans to introduce a similar ban and the European Union is considering age-based restrictions amid growing concerns over children’s mental health, online safety and exposure to harmful content.
Pakistan currently has no law setting a minimum age for using social media. The resolution, submitted by Punjab Assembly member Sara Ahmed, does not itself create a law but asks the Punjab government to urge the federal government to legislate on the issue. Telecommunications and regulation of online platforms fall under the federal government’s jurisdiction, meaning any binding law would have to be passed by Pakistan’s Parliament.
“Considering that the protection of children’s physical, mental, psychological and moral development is a constitutional and moral responsibility of the state, and that the excessive use of social media is exposing children to cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, inappropriate content and other serious risks, this House recommends… that the Federal Government impose an effective legal restriction on social media accounts for children under the age of sixteen (16),” the resolution says.
The resolution also calls on the federal government to require the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to enforce mandatory age-verification systems on social media platforms, ensure parental consent and active supervision for minors, require platforms to strengthen safeguards against harmful content and online exploitation and launch nationwide digital awareness campaigns for parents and educators.
It also proposes coordinated federal legislation on children’s online safety and says technology companies should be required to provide a safer digital environment for young users.
If adopted by the Punjab Assembly, the resolution would represent the opinion of the provincial legislature but would not have the force of law. It would instead serve as a formal recommendation for the federal government to consider drafting legislation, with any nationwide restrictions requiring approval by Pakistan’s Parliament.
