Punjab Bans Social Media for Children Under 16

The Punjab Assembly has tabled a landmark resolution seeking to bar children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, marking a significant push toward strengthening online child protection in Pakistan’s most populous province.

The resolution calls on the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to develop an effective regulatory and monitoring framework that enforces age restrictions on social media use.

It specifically recommends introducing a robust age verification system to prevent children under 16 from creating or operating social media accounts.

Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Chairperson Sarah Ahmed underscored the urgency of the measure, stating that every child deserves both a safe childhood and a secure digital future.

She described it as the constitutional and moral responsibility of the state to shield children from the harmful effects of social media, including cyberbullying, online exploitation, and exposure to inappropriate content.

The resolution points to a growing international trend, noting that Australia, France, China, and several US states have already enacted legislation or age-based restrictions governing social media use by minors.

It argues that Pakistan should follow suit and introduce effective legislation to safeguard children’s digital well-being.

If adopted and implemented, the proposed measures would introduce stricter controls on social media access for minors as part of broader efforts to enhance online safety across Punjab and the country.