The Islamabad High Court has been approached seeking directions for the federal government to introduce legislation and develop a comprehensive regulatory framework to regulate social media use by children under the age of 16. The petitioners have requested the implementation of an effective age verification mechanism for social media accounts operated by minors to ensure stronger protection against online risks.
The petition was filed through advocates Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Farid Khawaja, who stated that children are increasingly exposed to harmful effects of social media platforms, including cyberbullying, online harassment and access to inappropriate or harmful content. The petitioners argued that the growing use of social media among minors requires the state to establish a legal and regulatory mechanism focused on protecting children’s digital rights, privacy, and mental and physical safety. They have urged the court to direct the federal government to formulate a policy covering child protection measures, define responsibilities for social media platforms and introduce safeguards to create a safer online environment for minors.
The petitioners have also sought the establishment of a dedicated social media protection and regulatory mechanism along with appropriate legislative measures to regulate social media use by individuals under 16. The petition referred to protective measures adopted or proposed by countries including Australia, France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Spain, where governments have introduced or considered measures such as age restrictions, parental consent requirements and age verification systems for children accessing social media platforms. The petition relies on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and General Comment No. 25, arguing that protecting the best interests of children is a legal obligation of the state. It further stated that the absence of an effective age verification system leaves minors vulnerable to online risks and creates challenges in enforcing protections intended for children.
The petitioners have requested the Islamabad High Court to direct the federal government to take appropriate legislative measures for regulating social media access among children under 16 and establish an institutional mechanism responsible for their digital protection. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Law and Justice, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) have been named as respondents in the petition. The development follows a resolution submitted to the Punjab Assembly last month seeking restrictions on social media accounts for children below 16 years without parental consent. The resolution, moved by Punjab lawmaker Sarah Ahmad, called upon the provincial government to recommend that the federal government introduce comprehensive legislation to regulate children’s access to social media platforms amid concerns related to cyberbullying, online sexual abuse and digital addiction among minors.
The Punjab Assembly resolution stated that protecting children’s physical, mental, psychological and moral development is a constitutional and moral responsibility of the state. It recommended that children below the age of 16 should not be allowed to create or maintain social media accounts unless parental or legal guardian consent is obtained through a reliable age verification mechanism. The resolution also called upon PTA to implement and enforce effective age verification systems across social media platforms operating in Pakistan and ensure compliance with proposed child protection measures. It further recommended that social media companies should follow child safety standards by removing harmful content promptly and providing safer digital spaces for minors. The petition filed before the Islamabad High Court adds to ongoing discussions around establishing stronger protections for children while balancing their access to online platforms.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
