Key Points
- The bill proposes heavy fines up to Rs 5 million for platforms and jail time for individuals helping underage users create accounts
- PTA enforces strict age-verification rules
- PTA to be empowered to remove existing under-16 accounts
- Digital rights groups warn of overreach
- Lawmakers see it as a necessary step to secure children’s digital wellbeing
ISLAMABAD: In a move to protect its younger generation from the dark corners of the internet, Pakistan has introduced the ‘Social Media (Age Restriction for Users) Bill 2025’, seeking to ban all users under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts.
The bill, tabled in the Senate by Senators Sarmad Ali and Masroor Ahsan, mirrors a growing global wave led by Australia and New Zealand to shield minors from the increasing risks of online exploitation, cyberbullying, and harmful content.
Fines, bans and cleanup
Under the proposed law, social media companies that allow underage users could face fines ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 million. Individuals found assisting minors in creating accounts could face up to six months in prison.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would be tasked with removing all existing belonging to users under 16. The legislation also mandates that platforms to take “reasonable steps” to verify users’ ages—bringing Pakistan’s digital regulation in line with some of the toughest internet safety laws worldwide.
Global shift on youth access
The move places Pakistan among a growing group of nations concerned about the unchecked influence of social media on young minds.
Australia passed one of the world’s strictest bans on social media for under-16s last year, extending it in 2025 to include YouTube after reports of harmful content exposure. In May 2025, New Zealand unveiled plans to legally restrict social media access for children under 16, as part of a broader child safety agenda.
Both nations have faced fierce resistance from tech giants but have pressed forward, arguing that the safety of children outweighs corporate pushback.
Balancing rights and regulation
Though the bill passed the initial vote in Pakistan’s Senate with 34 in favour and 19 against, it still awaits formal debate and final approval.
Digital rights activists have raised concerns about its implementation and potential overreach, warning that without clear safeguards and transparency, such a ban could push young users into unregulated and less visible corners of the internet.
Yet, lawmakers supporting the bill say it’s a moral imperative.
“This legislation is about protecting our kids from what’s becoming an increasingly dangerous digital playground,” said Senator Sarmad Ali. “We’re not banning technology—we’re building safer pathways through it.”
Tech giants under fire
Like their counterparts in Australia, Pakistan’s lawmakers are likely to face pressure from global tech companies, many of whom argue that age verification is complex, intrusive, or ineffective.
However, supporters insist that tech firms must share responsibility for protecting young users and should not be allowed to operate without accountability.
“This is not about restricting freedom,” said a government official. “It’s about restoring balance in an environment where tech has raced far ahead of regulation.”
Parents, platforms and protection
At its core, the bill is also a call for digital literacy, not just among youth, but among parents, educators, and the platforms themselves. By setting clear boundaries, the government hopes to raise awareness about the real-world risks of early, unmonitored internet exposure.
As debates continue in the Senate, one thing is clear: Pakistan is no longer content to watch from the sidelines. In a world where children’s lives are shaped by what they scroll through, this legislation marks a serious attempt to set boundaries before it’s too late.
Whether the law survives the legislative process intact, remains to be seen—but for now, Islamabad has joined the global frontlines in the fight to reclaim childhood in the digital age.
