Punjab Assembly resolution seeks ban on social media access for children under 16

LAHORE: A resolution has been submitted in the Punjab Assembly seeking restrictions on social media access for children under the age of 16 without parental or legal guardian consent.

The resolution, submitted by Punjab Assembly member Sarah Ahmed, calls on the provincial government to recommend that the federal government introduce comprehensive legislation to regulate children’s social media use and ensure their online safety.

The resolution said that safeguarding children’s physical, mental, psychological, and moral development is the state’s constitutional and moral responsibility. It highlighted that unrestricted access to social media has exposed minors to serious online threats, including cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, inappropriate content, mental stress, and digital addiction.

It proposed that children below 16 should not be allowed to create or maintain social media accounts without approval from their parents or legal guardians.

The resolution also recommended introducing a reliable age verification system to ensure effective implementation of the proposed restrictions.

It further urged the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to enforce age verification requirements on all social media platforms operating in Pakistan.

The resolution called on social media companies to follow child protection standards, remove harmful content promptly, and provide a safer digital environment for young users.

It also recommended launching awareness campaigns for parents, teachers, and children to promote digital literacy, online safety, and responsible internet use.