Punjab Assembly resolution calls for restricting social media accounts of under-16s

LAHORE: A resolution submitted to the Punjab Assembly has called for a nationwide restriction on social media accounts for children younger than 16 unless parental consent is in place, citing concerns about cyberbullying, online sexual abuse and digital addiction among minors.

The resolution was moved by Punjab lawmaker Sarah Ahmad. It asks the provincial government to recommend that the federal government bring in comprehensive legislation to regulate children’s access to social media platforms and strengthen online safety protections.

According to the text of the resolution, protecting children’s physical, mental, psychological and moral development is both a constitutional and moral obligation of the state. It says unrestricted social media access has exposed minors to cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, inappropriate material, psychological distress, digital addiction and other serious online risks.

The proposal recommends that the federal government legislate to bar children below 16 from creating or maintaining social media accounts unless consent is provided by a parent or legal guardian through a dependable age-verification system. It also calls on the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to put in place and enforce effective age-verification mechanisms across all social media platforms operating in Pakistan so the proposed limits can be implemented.

The resolution further seeks to place responsibility on social media companies to meet child protection standards by requiring them to quickly remove harmful content and ensure a safer digital environment for minors. It also urges the federal government to introduce a law focused on children’s online safety.

In addition, it recommends that relevant federal and provincial departments run sustained awareness campaigns for parents, teachers and children to promote digital literacy, online safety and responsible internet use. It also calls for closer coordination between federal and provincial authorities and the introduction of broad legislation aimed at improving the online protection of children.

Global debate over child online safety

The move comes as governments in different parts of the world weigh tighter controls on children’s use of social media amid increasing evidence linking excessive online activity to mental health concerns, cyber abuse and exposure to harmful content. Australia and the European Union are among those that have recently moved toward age-based restrictions on access to social media platforms, while other jurisdictions are examining stronger age-verification rules and wider child online safety laws.

If the Punjab Assembly adopts the resolution, it would amount to a recommendation to the federal government, which holds legislative authority over telecommunications, internet regulation and digital platforms.