IHC asked to frame rules for social media use by children under 16

The petition, filed by advocates Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Farid Khawaja, calls for a reliable age-verification system to prevent

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has been petitioned to direct the federal government to introduce legislation and a comprehensive regulatory framework governing social media access by children below the age of 16.

The petition, filed by advocates Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Farid Khawaja, calls for a reliable age-verification system to prevent minors from creating or operating social media accounts without appropriate safeguards.

The petitioners argue that children face growing risks online, including cyberbullying, harassment, exposure to inappropriate material and other forms of digital harm. They have urged the government to establish clear policies covering children’s digital rights, privacy and physical and psychological safety.

They have also sought specific legal responsibilities for social media companies, including stronger safeguards for minors and the creation of an institutional mechanism dedicated to protecting children in the digital environment.

The petition refers to measures adopted or proposed in countries including Australia, France, Britain, New Zealand and Spain, where authorities have considered age limits, parental consent and age-verification requirements for children’s social media use.

Citing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and General Comment No. 25, the petitioners maintain that protecting children’s best interests is a legal responsibility of the state rather than merely a policy choice.

They argue that the absence of an effective age-verification mechanism leaves minors exposed to online dangers and makes it difficult to enforce protections designed specifically for children.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Law and Justice, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority have been named as respondents.

Punjab Assembly Resolution

The development follows a resolution submitted to the Punjab Assembly last month calling for restrictions on social media accounts operated by children under 16 without parental consent.

The resolution, moved by Punjab lawmaker Sarah Ahmad, urged the provincial government to recommend federal legislation aimed at regulating minors’ access to social media and strengthening online protection.

It highlighted concerns over cyberbullying, online exploitation, inappropriate content, digital addiction and psychological distress among children, stressing that safeguarding their physical, mental and moral development is a responsibility of the state.

The resolution proposed prohibiting children below 16 from creating or maintaining social media accounts without verified parental or legal guardian consent. It also called on the PTA to develop and enforce effective age-verification mechanisms across platforms operating in Pakistan.

It further recommended holding social media companies accountable for child-safety standards, including the timely removal of harmful content and measures to provide a safer online environment for minors.