Punjab Proposes Social Media Age Limit for Children

LAHORE: (Web Desk) – Punjab has moved to strengthen online child safety by introducing a resolution in the Punjab Assembly proposing restrictions on social media access for children under the age of 16.

The resolution calls on the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to establish an effective regulatory and monitoring framework that would enforce age limits for social media platforms and create a safer digital environment for young users.

It also recommends introducing comprehensive legal measures, including a reliable age verification system, to prevent children under 16 from creating or using social media accounts.

Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Chairperson Sarah Ahmed said every child deserves both a safe childhood and a secure digital future. She emphasized that protecting children from cyberbullying, online exploitation and harmful content is both a constitutional obligation and a moral responsibility of the state.

The resolution points out that countries such as Australia, France, China and several US states have already introduced age-based restrictions or legislation regulating minors’ access to social media platforms.

It adds that Pakistan should follow international best practices by introducing effective laws to safeguard children’s digital well-being. If approved, the proposed measures would tighten controls on social media access for children under 16 as part of broader efforts to improve online safety across Punjab and the country.