Google to Train Pakistani Families in Online Safety
News Desk
Islamabad: Google has launched its ‘Digital Guardian’ programme in Pakistan, aiming to equip 200,000 families with practical tools to help parents and children navigate the online world more safely.
The programme focuses on digital literacy and online safety, with Google committing $500,000 to its implementation. The initiative is designed to help parents identify and manage inappropriate online content and better protect children while using digital platforms.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Google Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy Wilson White said online safety was a key priority for the company and that safety features were already integrated into its core products.
He said the programme would provide families with practical resources to build children’s digital awareness and help them use the internet more safely and confidently.
Google Cluster Director Farhan S. Qureshi said the company’s formal presence in Pakistan sends a message internationally that the country is open to technology and business.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez-ur-Rehman highlighted the growing responsibility of parents, teachers and regulators as children’s use of social media continues to increase.
He said the PTA receives hundreds of complaints every day concerning children’s use of social media and works with digital platforms to address complaints in accordance with local laws.
The PTA chairman said technology could not be stopped and that Pakistan needed to focus on using emerging technologies responsibly through effective rules and regulations.
He added that the PTA maintains close coordination with social media companies and said Google’s compliance rate with complaints received from Pakistan was among the highest.
The Digital Guardian programme comes as children’s increasing exposure to online platforms raises concerns over inappropriate content and digital safety, putting greater emphasis on parents’ ability to guide and protect young users.
