The government of Pakistan is actively exploring measures to regulate children’s access to social media platforms. The Ministry of Interior has initiated consultations with key stakeholders to address concerns related to child exploitation and the spread of inappropriate content online.
Among the proposals under review is the establishment of a minimum age requirement for social media use. Authorities are also investigating ways to restrict content deemed obscene, particularly that which is produced under the guise of family vlogging. Additionally, the government is contemplating the possibility of restricting or banning certain social media platforms, following examples set by other nations.
In a significant development, the Interior Ministry is set to convene a meeting involving representatives from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), and various federal and provincial police departments. This gathering will focus on reviewing cases related to child exploitation and objectionable content on social media, with detailed presentations to inform the discussions.
Notably, the consultation process will include an examination of social media policies implemented by countries such as Australia and members of the European Union. Australia notably became the first country to prohibit social media use for individuals under 16 years of age, a move that has been followed by several others in 2026. The European Commission has recently proposed a ban for children under 13.
Meanwhile, on September 1, the Punjab Assembly passed a resolution advocating for a ban on social media accounts for children below 16 years. Introduced by treasury lawmaker Sarah Ahmad, the resolution urges the federal government to enforce a legal prohibition on social media use by minors under 16, contingent upon parental or legal guardian consent and reliable age verification mechanisms.
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