Punjab Assembly resolution seeks ban on social media accounts of kids under 16

A resolution has been submitted to the Punjab Assembly calling for a nationwide ban on social media accounts for children under 16 unless they have parental consent, as lawmakers in Pakistan grapple with growing concerns over cyberbullying, online sexual abuse and digital dependence among minors.

The proposal was moved by Punjab lawmaker Sarah Ahmad and asks the provincial government to recommend that the federal government introduce comprehensive legislation to regulate children’s access to social media platforms. It also urges stronger safeguards for online child protection, including age-verification systems and better coordination between federal and provincial authorities.

According to the resolution, the state has both a constitutional and moral duty to protect children’s physical, mental, psychological and moral development. It argues that unrestricted access to social media has exposed minors to a range of dangers, including cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, inappropriate content, psychological distress and digital addiction.

The proposal specifically recommends that children under 16 be barred from creating or keeping social media accounts unless a parent or legal guardian gives consent through a reliable age-verification mechanism. It further calls on the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to put in place and enforce effective age-checking systems across social media platforms operating in Pakistan.

The resolution also places responsibility on social media companies to meet child protection standards. It asks them to act quickly against harmful material and help create a safer online environment for young users.

In addition to regulatory steps, the resolution recommends sustained awareness campaigns for parents, teachers and children. These campaigns, it says, should promote digital literacy, online safety and responsible internet use.

The proposal comes amid wider global debate over children’s use of social media. Governments in several countries are weighing tighter rules as concerns grow over the links between heavy online use, mental health challenges, cyber abuse and exposure to harmful content. The feed summary notes that Australia and the European Union are among those that have recently moved toward age-based restrictions or stronger age-verification measures.

If the Punjab Assembly adopts the resolution, it would function as a recommendation to the federal government, which has legislative authority over telecommunications, internet regulation and digital platforms in Pakistan.

This report is based on a monitored public feed. Source attribution: Dawn Tech. Source: Dawn Tech - https://www.dawn.com/news/2015566/punjab-assembly-resolution-seeks-ban-on-social-media-accounts-of-kids-under-16