Senate Withdraws Controversial Bill to Ban Social Media Use for Under-16s

ISLAMABAD – The Senate is set to withdraw a private member bill seeking to ban the use of social media by children under 16 years of age, following strong objections from key stakeholders. The move comes after widespread concerns over the proposed age restrictions and the severity of penalties for violators.

The bill, titled Social Media (Age-Restricted Users) Bill 2025, was introduced in the Senate on July 21 by PPP senators Sarmad Ali and Syed Masroor Ahsan. It proposed a complete ban on social media access for users under 16 and placed legal responsibility on platforms to enforce the restriction.

Why the Bill Was Withdrawn

According to insiders, stakeholders—including legal experts, civil society, and digital rights activists—strongly opposed the age limit and the mandatory account-blocking requirement. The original bill also included punishments of up to six months imprisonment and fines up to Rs5 million for violators, which many argued were excessive.

On the advice of PPP leadership, the senators agreed to withdraw the current draft. A formal motion to withdraw the bill will be presented in the Senate, with plans to reintroduce a revised version after mutual consultation.

What Changes Are Expected

Sources suggest the revised draft will propose a lower minimum age—possibly 13 or 14—instead of 16. The updated bill is also expected to ease the penalties, reducing the proposed prison term and fine amounts.

Additionally, the revised version may emphasize a shared responsibility model, empowering parents to play a more active role in monitoring and controlling their children’s social media use, instead of placing the entire burden on social media platforms.

Key Features of the Original Bill

The initial bill required social media platforms to:

• Verify users’ ages

• Block accounts belonging to minors

• Cooperate with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), which would act as the regulatory body

Violations could result in fines from Rs50,000 to Rs5 million and potential imprisonment. However, platforms would not be penalized if an underage account was created based on falsified or misleading information.

Platforms Covered

The bill applied to all major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Threads, X (formerly Twitter), Bigo Live, and others.

Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani had previously referred the bill to the relevant standing committee for further deliberation.

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Next Steps

The senators behind the bill have assured that a revised version will be reintroduced with significant changes, balancing child safety with practical enforcement mechanisms and stakeholder concerns.