Pakistan Recommends Restricting Social Media for Under-16

News Desk

ISLAMABAD: In a major move to bolster child online safety, Pakistani authorities and digital rights advocates have proposed strict new recommendations to restrict social media contact between children under the age of 16 and unknown adults.

The proposal aims to curb online grooming, harassment, and exploitation by enforcing stringent age-verification protocols and default privacy settings across all major social media platforms operating within the country.

The recommendations, drafted by a joint committee of digital safety experts, legal minds, and child rights protection bodies, urge the government to mandate social media giants to implement advanced algorithmic filters.

Under the proposed framework, accounts belonging to minors under 16 would automatically be set to the highest privacy level, preventing unsolicited direct messages and friend requests from unverified adult accounts.

This initiative aligns with global digital safety standards, such as the UK’s Age Appropriate Design Code, adapting them to Pakistan’s unique socio-cultural landscape.

Digital rights activists have welcomed the proposal, highlighting that Pakistan’s rapidly growing internet-user base includes millions of vulnerable children who lack adequate digital literacy.

However, tech policy experts warn that implementing these measures will require robust cooperation from multinational tech companies and a delicate balance between child protection and user privacy.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) is expected to review the recommendations to determine their feasibility under existing cyber laws, including the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

Moving forward, the draft recommendations will be presented to the federal cabinet for formal approval before being integrated into the national digital safety policy framework.

Public consultations with parents, educators, and tech industry stakeholders are scheduled to take place next month to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach to safeguarding Pakistan’s youth in the digital arena.