ISLAMABAD: The issue of social media use by children under 16 has reached the Islamabad High Court, with a petition seeking legislation and an effective age-verification system for minors using social media platforms.
The petition asks the government to introduce measures aimed at protecting children from cyberbullying, online harassment and harmful content. It also calls for a dedicated regulatory mechanism to strengthen online protection for children in Pakistan.
Petition Seeks Age Verification for Children
The petition was filed through lawyers Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Fareed Khawaja. It seeks an effective system to verify the age of users before children under 16 can create or operate social media accounts.
The petitioner has argued that Pakistan needs a comprehensive legal framework to address risks faced by children online and ensure that social media platforms adopt appropriate safeguards.
Examples From Other Countries Cited
The petition refers to measures adopted or proposed in several countries as comparative examples.
Australia’s legislation restricting social media access for children under 16 has been cited before the court. The petition also refers to France, where legislation requires parental consent for social media accounts of children below a specified age.
The UK’s Online Safety Act 2023 and proposed measures in New Zealand and Spain concerning children under 16 have also been mentioned in the petition.
Government Departments Made Respondents
The Ministry of Information Technology, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Law, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) have been made respondents in the case.
The petitioner has requested the establishment of a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Mechanism specifically focused on safeguarding children online.
The petition maintains that as countries around the world introduce age limits and other safeguards for minors, Pakistan should also develop effective legislation to regulate children’s access to social media and strengthen their protection in the digital environment.
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