A new bill was tabled in the Senate of Pakistan on Monday seeking to establish a minimum age limit for social media users in the country. According to the proposed legislation, users must be at least 16 years old to create an account on any social media platform.
The bill aims to hold social media companies accountable for preventing underage users from accessing their platforms. If a platform allows a user under the age of 16 to create an account, it could face fines ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5 million.
In addition, the bill includes strict penalties for anyone who facilitates the creation of social media accounts for underage users. Offenders could face up to six months in prison, along with a fine within the same range of Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5 million.
To ensure enforcement, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will be empowered to block accounts belonging to underage users and implement measures to prevent minors from creating new accounts in the future.
The bill is part of a broader push by lawmakers to regulate digital spaces, protect children from online harm, and establish more accountability for tech companies operating in Pakistan. It will now move through the legislative process, where it may be debated and amended before a final vote.