ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has issued notices to several federal ministries and regulators on a petition seeking legal measures to regulate social media use by children under the age of 16.
Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar heard the petition, which calls for legislation on age verification, online safety and a dedicated regulatory framework to protect children from cyberbullying, online harassment and harmful digital content.
The court issued notices to the Ministry of Information Technology, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Law, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, seeking their responses.
The petition was filed by citizen Waqas Nasir, whose counsel Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Fareed Khawaja appeared before the court.
The petitioner asked the court to direct authorities to develop an effective age-verification system for social media accounts used by children under 16.
The plea also seeks comprehensive legislation to safeguard minors from the harmful effects of social media, including cyberbullying, online harassment and access to inappropriate or damaging content.
Counsel Jalal Haider told the court that several countries had already introduced age restrictions and other safeguards for children using social media, describing such measures as part of a wider international trend toward stronger digital protection for minors.
He argued that protecting the best interests of children was a constitutional and legal responsibility of the state and urged the creation of a dedicated social media protection and regulatory mechanism for minors in Pakistan.
During the hearing, the court asked whether PEMRA had any law specifically dealing with the issue.
Haider replied that PEMRA had powers to act on complaints in certain cases, but no specific law had yet been enacted to regulate social media use by children under the age of 16.
The court then issued notices to the respondents and directed the law officer to ensure compliance with the notices.
The hearing was adjourned to a later date.
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