A resolution has been tabled in the Punjab Assembly seeking a ban on social media accounts for children under the age of 16 without the permission of their parents or legal guardians.
The resolution was submitted by Punjab Assembly member Sarah Ahmed. It calls on the provincial government to recommend that the federal government introduce comprehensive legislation to regulate children’s use of social media and ensure their online safety.
According to the resolution, protecting the physical, mental, psychological, and moral development of children is the constitutional and moral responsibility of the state. It states that unrestricted access to social media has exposed young children to cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, inappropriate content, mental stress, digital addiction, and other serious online risks.
The resolution proposes that the federal government introduce a law under which children under the age of 16 would not be allowed to create or maintain social media accounts without the consent of their parents or legal guardians. It also recommends making a reliable age verification system mandatory for this purpose.
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It further states that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) should ensure implementation of the proposed restriction by requiring all social media platforms operating in Pakistan to introduce the necessary age verification system.
The resolution also recommends that social media companies be required to comply with child protection standards, promptly remove harmful and inappropriate content, and provide a safer digital environment for underage users.
In addition, it calls on the relevant federal and provincial institutions to launch continuous awareness campaigns for parents, teachers, and children on digital literacy, online safety, and responsible internet use.
The resolution notes that if approved by the Punjab Assembly, it will serve as a recommendation to the federal government, as legislation relating to telecommunications, internet regulation, and digital platforms falls under the jurisdiction of the federation.
The proposal comes at a time when several countries around the world are considering stricter regulations on children’s use of social media. Excessive social media use has been linked to mental health issues, online abuse, and exposure to harmful content.
It is noteworthy that countries including Australia and members of the European Union have already taken steps toward restricting children’s access to social media based on age or implementing effective age verification systems.
