Lahore: (PPF) A resolution has been submitted to the Punjab Assembly proposing a nationwide ban on social media accounts for children under the age of 16 without parental consent. The legislative measure, introduced by Punjab lawmaker Sarah Ahmad, seeks to address concerns like cyberbullying, online sexual abuse, and digital addiction among minors. 

The resolution calls for the provincial government to recommend to the federal government to bring comprehensive legislation to regulate children’s access to social media. It aims to ensure the protection of children’s physical, mental, psychological, and moral development, which the resolution states is a constitutional and moral responsibility of the state. 

According to the proposal, the federal government should bring legislation that prohibits minors under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining social media accounts without consent from parents or legal guardians verified through a dependable age-verification mechanism. Moreover, the resolution urges the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to develop and enforce robust age-verification systems across all social media platforms in Pakistan. 

The resolution also emphasises the need for social media companies to adhere to child protection standards by promptly removing harmful content and creating a safer digital environment for minors. It suggests that relevant federal and provincial departments should initiate ongoing awareness campaigns to educate parents, teachers, and children about digital literacy, online safety, and responsible internet use. 

Globally, there is a trend towards imposing stricter regulations on children’s use of social media, with countries like Australia instituting age-based restrictions and enhancing child online safety laws.