Pakistan Plans Social Media Restrictions for Children Under 16

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has intervened in the nationwide debate on digital child safety, issuing formal notices to key federal ministries and regulatory bodies to respond to a petition seeking strict regulation of social media use for minors.

A hearing was held in the Islamabad High Court on a petition regarding regulating the use of social media by children under the age of 16.

IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar heard the petition filed by citizen Waqas Nasir. Lawyers Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Farid Khawaja appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioner.

The petition emphasizes that safeguarding the well-being of minors is a fundamental constitutional obligation of the state.

In response to the arguments presented, the court issued official notices directing responses from:

• The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication
• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
• The Ministry of Interior
• The Ministry of Law and Justice
• The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
• The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)

Key Demands of the Petition

Lawyer Jalal Haider said that countries around the world are trying harder to protect children on the internet. Other nations that have already limited social media use or required parents to give permission. The petitioner has asked the court to direct the government to establish:

• A foolproof system to verify ages before social media accounts can be created by children under 16.
• Solid frameworks to shield minors from cyberbullying, online harassment, and inappropriate or harmful material.
• A special watchdog group to clearly state what tech platforms must do to protect children’s privacy and digital rights

The respondents have been given a deadline to submit their formal replies as the court continues its proceedings on how to better protect young users online.