LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution recommending restrictions on social media access for children under 16, calling for stronger legislation and safety measures to protect young users from online harms.
The resolution was moved by Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Chairperson and lawmaker Sarah Ahmed, who urged authorities to establish an effective regulatory framework to safeguard children in the digital environment.
The resolution called for measures to protect minors from cyber harassment, online sexual exploitation and inappropriate content, while recommending an age-verification system for social media platforms to prevent underage access.
Punjab Seeks Stronger Online Child Protection Measures
The Punjab Assembly also called for social media companies to comply with child protection standards and recommended greater coordination between federal and provincial institutions to improve online safety mechanisms.
Sarah Ahmed said ensuring a safe childhood and secure digital future for children remained a priority, adding that protecting children’s interests was a key responsibility of the state.
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The move comes amid a growing global debate over children’s access to social media platforms. Several countries, including Australia, China, the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye, have introduced or considered measures aimed at limiting young users’ exposure to online platforms.
Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide ban preventing children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
Meanwhile, European countries have also been exploring stronger safeguards against harmful online content and features targeting children.
Social media companies generally oppose blanket restrictions, arguing that they already implement safety measures such as age limits and parental controls. Platforms including TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat require users to be at least 13 years old to create accounts.
However, child protection advocates argue that existing safeguards are insufficient, citing concerns over the continued presence of underage users on social media platforms.
The Punjab Assembly’s resolution highlights Pakistan’s growing focus on digital child protection as internet and social media usage continues to expand among younger generations.
