Pakistan court petition seeks ban on social media for under-16s

A petition filed in Pakistan's Islamabad High Court seeks to prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. The filing, reported by Daily Jang, argues for the ban citing increased risks of exploitation and exposure to harmful content for minors.

The petitioners propose that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and the National Database and Registration Authority collaborate to create an age-verification system to enforce the nationwide restriction. The petition also suggests penalties for parents who facilitate their children's non-compliance and mandates that platforms adhere to Pakistani law.

Legal arguments in the petition invoke the principle of "parens patriae," positioning the state as a guardian for minors. The petitioners point to Australia's under-16 social media restrictions as a model, arguing that children often lack the independent ability to seek help when facing online abuse.

Pakistan has a substantial youth population with rapidly growing social media penetration, estimated at approximately 79.9 million user identities. The petition highlights international health authorities' concerns regarding excessive adolescent social media use and exposure to detrimental content.

This initiative mirrors a bill proposed in Pakistan's Senate, the Social Media Age Restriction Bill 2025. However, jurisdictions like India are exploring different approaches, such as tiered systems with time limits and parental consent, rather than outright bans, focusing on digital awareness rather than restrictive measures.