'Protection of children is state's responsibility': Pak lawmaker seeks social media ban for under-16s

Sarah Ahmad of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) proposed a resolution in the Punjab assembly to ban social media accounts for children under 16 in Pakistan.

The resolution calls for federal legislation requiring parental consent and age verification for minors to create social media accounts.

It urges the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to enforce effective age-verification systems on social media platforms.

The proposal cites risks including cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, psychological distress, and digital addiction.

This aligns with global trends, as countries like Australia and the UK have introduced similar age-based restrictions.