Pakistan Petition Calls for Social Media Restrictions for Children

 

Pakistan is considering tighter regulations on children’s access to social media, following a petition filed before the Islamabad High Court seeking restrictions on users under the age of 16.

The petition calls for children below 16 to be prevented from creating or using accounts on major platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. It also seeks stronger age-verification mechanisms to ensure that users meet the required minimum age.

The proposed restrictions come amid concerns over the online risks faced by children, including cyberbullying, harassment, blackmail, exploitation, and exposure to inappropriate content. Supporters of the proposal argue that stronger safeguards could help create a safer digital environment for younger users.

The petition also seeks greater parental involvement through improved parental-control tools. Social media companies could face additional responsibilities to protect younger users and limit their exposure to harmful material.

The development has renewed attention on the proposed Social Media (Age Limit for Users) Bill, 2025, which previously called for restrictions on children under 16 creating social media accounts.

However, introducing such restrictions could raise questions about privacy, enforcement, age verification, and practical implementation. Ensuring that platforms can accurately verify users’ ages without creating new privacy concerns is likely to remain a key challenge.

The petition is expected to be taken up by the Islamabad High Court next month. Proceedings could provide further clarity on the proposed restrictions and the government’s broader approach to protecting children online.

As social media use continues to grow among young people, Pakistan’s debate over online safety is likely to focus on finding a balance between digital access, individual rights, and stronger protection for children.