A petition filed before Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court is seeking restrictions on social-media access for children under 16, adding to a growing debate over children’s online safety and age verification.
No nationwide social-media ban for children under 16 has been imposed.
The case is a petition asking the court to direct the federal government and regulators to take action. Its requests have not become law merely because the petition has been filed.
What does the petition seek?
Lawyers Sheraz Zaka and Moin Akhtar filed the petition at the Federal Constitutional Court’s Lahore registry.
Among other measures, the petitioners want the federal government to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, to restrict social-media access for children under 16 and introduce an age-verification mechanism.
They have also sought stronger parental controls and coordination between the government and social-media platforms.
The petition additionally asks for stricter enforcement of standards concerning content accessible to children on television and other platforms.
Why are the petitioners asking for restrictions?
The petitioners argue that children can be exposed online to cyberbullying, addictive platform features, sexualised material and other content they consider harmful.
They have invoked constitutional provisions concerning life, dignity, equality, education and protection of the family in support of their case.
These are arguments made by the petitioners. The court has not yet established those claims as findings in this case.
Is social media already banned for under-16s?
No.
The filing of a petition does not itself create a new legal restriction.
For families and social-media users, the immediate practical position is therefore important: this case should not be interpreted as an announcement that Pakistan has already prohibited everyone under 16 from using social media.
The petitioners are asking the judiciary to direct the government toward such restrictions and an age-verification framework.
The issue is already being debated elsewhere
The Federal Constitutional Court petition is not the only recent attempt to put children’s social-media use on the policy agenda.
The Punjab Assembly recently passed a resolution calling for measures to restrict social-media access for children under 16 and for stronger age-verification safeguards.
A resolution can express the Assembly’s policy position, but it is not the same thing as a nationwide federal ban.
Separately, the Islamabad High Court has been hearing another petition seeking regulation of social-media use by children under 16.
The IHC issued notices to federal ministries and regulators, including the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, seeking their responses.
Why age verification matters
Restricting social-media accounts according to age raises a practical question: how does a platform reliably determine a user’s age?
Possible age-assurance systems can involve identity information, parental approval or other verification methods.
But such systems can also create questions about privacy, personal data, implementation costs and how platforms should deal with users who do not possess particular forms of identification.
Those implementation questions would become important if Pakistan ultimately decides to introduce mandatory age verification.
What could change for technology companies?
If binding legislation or regulation eventually emerges, social-media platforms operating in Pakistan could potentially face additional responsibilities concerning age checks, parental controls and child-safety measures.
The exact obligations would depend on whatever legislation, regulation or court directions are ultimately adopted.
At present, those details should not be treated as settled policy.
What happens next
The important development to watch is how the Federal Constitutional Court handles the petition and whether the federal government or relevant regulators are directed to respond.
The separate Islamabad High Court proceedings and the Punjab Assembly’s recommendations also mean the subject could develop through more than one legal or political channel.
Until an authoritative legal or regulatory decision is made, claims that Pakistan has already introduced an under-16 social-media ban would be premature.
Pakistan Report will track the court proceedings and any concrete legislation or regulations that emerge.