Punjab Assembly proposes social media ban for children under 16

The Punjab Assembly in Pakistan has unanimously passed a resolution calling for a legal ban on social media accounts for children under the age of 16. The resolution, presented by lawmaker Sarah Ahmad, aims to protect minors from risks such as cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, inappropriate content, and mental stress.

The assembly recommended that the federal government introduce comprehensive legislation and a coordinated mechanism between federal and provincial institutions to safeguard children. The resolution also called on the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to implement an effective age-verification system across all social media platforms.

Additionally, the proposal suggests making social media companies responsible for preventing harmful content and creating a safe digital environment. It further recommends launching digital awareness campaigns for parents, teachers, and children regarding safe internet use. The resolution cited international trends in countries like Australia, France, China, and the United States as precedents for regulating underage social media access.