A petition has been submitted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) advocating for the regulation of social media usage among children below the age of 16. This legal move highlights growing concerns about the impact of unrestricted social media exposure on minors’ mental health and development. The petition emphasizes the need for protective measures to shield young users from harmful content and online exploitation.
Social media platforms have become integral to daily life, but experts warn that early and unsupervised access can lead to issues such as cyberbullying, addiction, and exposure to inappropriate material. The petition seeks to establish guidelines that would enforce age verification and limit the time children spend on these platforms. Such regulation aims to create a safer digital environment for younger users while balancing freedom of expression.
In a significant development, the IHC’s consideration of this petition could set a precedent for digital policy in Pakistan. If implemented, these regulations might influence how social media companies operate within the country, potentially encouraging global platforms to adopt stricter child protection protocols. This initiative reflects a broader international trend toward safeguarding children in the digital age.
