The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a notice to the federal government and relevant regulatory agencies in response to a petition demanding regulations on social media use for children under 16. During Monday’s hearing, Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar directed the Ministry of Information Technology, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Law, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to respond.
The petitioner’s lawyer emphasized that safeguarding children’s best interests is both a constitutional and legal obligation of the state. He highlighted that various countries are implementing age restrictions and safety protocols for young users on social media platforms.
The court inquired whether PEMRA has any existing legal framework governing children’s social media activity. The lawyer responded that no such legislation exists at present, and PEMRA can only act upon receiving specific complaints. Subsequently, the court directed the relevant bodies to submit their responses and instructed the law officer to ensure compliance.
The petition, filed by citizens through advocates Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Fareed Khawaja, seeks the establishment of a robust age verification system for social media accounts of users under 16. It also calls for a comprehensive legal framework to shield children from online risks such as cyberbullying, harassment, and exposure to harmful content.
The petition references international regulations—like Australia’s restrictions for under-16s, France’s requirement for parental consent for children under 15, the UK’s Online Safety Act 2023, New Zealand’s proposed laws on youth social media use, and Spain’s suggested restrictions—highlighting a global trend toward enhancing digital safety for minors through age checks and parental controls.
Additionally, the petition anchors its arguments on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and its General Comment No. 25, asserting that protecting children’s best interests is a fundamental constitutional and legal duty. It urges the government to formulate a clear policy for protecting children’s digital rights, privacy, and mental and physical health. The petition also recommends establishing a dedicated mechanism for social media regulation catering specifically to minors, alongside legislative action to formalize these protections.