As Nations Ban Child Social Media, Where Is Pakistan?

News Desk 

Islamabad: Should young children be allowed to use social media?

Until a few years ago, this question was largely confined to discussions among health experts, parents and technology companies. Today, however, it has become a matter of public policy, with governments around the world debating whether children should have unrestricted access to digital platforms.

Countries including Australia, Indonesia and the United Kingdom have either imposed or announced major restrictions on children’s use of social media, while similar measures are under consideration in France, Germany, Norway and several other nations.

The growing concern stems from mounting evidence about the impact of social media on the mental and physical well-being of children and adolescents. While digital platforms offer opportunities for education, communication and social engagement, experts increasingly warn that addictive algorithms and excessive screen time can have harmful consequences.

Against this backdrop, governments are moving to regulate children’s online activity, with some opting for outright bans.

UK’s New Restrictions

The United Kingdom recently announced that children under the age of 16 will no longer be permitted to use major social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube and X. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal, however, are exempt from the restrictions.

Announcing the policy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized the algorithms used by social media companies, arguing that they are designed to keep users engaged for extended periods.

“Like all parents, I want my children to be happy and safe,” Starmer said. “The question is whether that remains possible after using social media.”

Under the proposed framework, technology companies will be required to prevent underage users from creating new accounts, while existing accounts belonging to minors will also be shut down.

Australia Leads the Way

Australia became the first country in the world to enact what is commonly described as a “blanket ban” on underage social media use.

The legislation, which came into effect in December 2025, set the minimum age for opening accounts on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Twitch and Kik at 16 years nationwide.

The law also imposes substantial penalties on companies that fail to enforce the age restrictions.

Pakistan’s Debate Continues

Pakistan has yet to enact formal legislation regulating social media use by minors, but the issue has increasingly attracted attention in parliament and the courts.

In June 2025, PPP senators Masroor Ahsan and Sarmad Ali introduced a bill in the Senate seeking to ban social media use for children under 16. The bill was later withdrawn in August 2025 following objections from various quarters.

The debate resurfaced in January 2026 when several senators submitted a calling-attention notice on the issue. Acting Senate Chairman Sherry Rehman subsequently approved the formation of a committee comprising both government and opposition members to examine the matter.

During the discussion, Senator Falak Naz referred to the murder of 17-year-old TikToker Sana Yousaf, arguing that the incident highlighted the potential dangers associated with unsupervised social media use by minors.

Sherry Rehman, however, emphasized that social media also serves educational purposes and argued that policymakers should carefully consider all dimensions of the issue before reaching a decision.

Courts Push for Child Protection Measures

The matter has also reached Pakistan’s judiciary.

In January 2026, the Lahore High Court directed the federal government to formulate a national child online protection policy, drawing on models adopted by Australia and other countries.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/ai-is-rewriting-education/

A month later, a 12-year-old child from Islamabad, through his father and lawyer, petitioned the High Court seeking a ban on social media use by minors.

During the proceedings, the court directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to submit reports outlining possible measures for restricting minors’ access to social media platforms.

So far, however, no final policy decision has emerged.

A Global Shift Toward Regulation

Pakistan’s debate is unfolding amid a broader international movement toward regulating children’s online activity.

Indonesia became the first Asian country to introduce digital restrictions for children under 16 in March 2026. Malaysia has also tightened regulations under its Child Protection Act, requiring age verification through official identity documents before social media registration.

In Türkiye, parliament has passed legislation setting the minimum age for social media accounts at 15 years. The law is awaiting approval from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan before implementation.

Greece has enacted similar restrictions, while countries including France, Canada, Norway, Spain, Denmark, Germany and Portugal are currently considering or drafting legislation on the issue.

Brazil has adopted a different approach. Under a recently enacted digital law, the country has prohibited social media features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay functions. Authorities argue that such features stimulate dopamine responses in children similar to addictive substances, encouraging prolonged use.

China, meanwhile, continues to maintain one of the world’s strictest digital regulatory systems through its state-managed “Minor Mode” framework, which places extensive limits on smartphone and internet use by individuals under the age of 18.

The Road Ahead

As governments around the world grapple with balancing children’s safety and digital freedom, Pakistan remains at the discussion stage.

Whether lawmakers ultimately choose age restrictions, stronger parental controls, platform accountability measures or a complete ban, the debate reflects a growing global consensus that the online experiences of children can no longer remain entirely unregulated.

The question facing policymakers is no longer whether social media affects children, but how far governments should go in protecting them from its potential risks.