A proposal to ban the use of social media for children under the age of 16 is currently being discussed in Pakistan. The Lahore High Court has asked the federal government and other concerned authorities to submit their responses on this matter by February 10.
During the hearing, the court noted that any decision or policy related to children and social media must be properly designed and implemented by the government. The judges emphasized that such sensitive issues cannot be handled casually and require clear laws and effective enforcement mechanisms.
The discussion has gained momentum as concerns continue to grow about how excessive use of social media affects children. Parents, teachers, and experts have raised alarms about issues such as mental health problems, online harassment, exposure to inappropriate content, and the impact on children’s education and social development.
Previously, members of parliament also called for stricter rules to regulate children’s access to social media platforms. They pointed to international examples, including Australia, where similar restrictions have already been introduced to safeguard young users and reduce online risks.
At this stage, no final decision has been made. The matter is still under review, and further developments will depend on the responses submitted to the court and the government’s future policy decisions. This information is shared for general awareness and is based on available reports. Readers are encouraged to follow official announcements for accurate and up-to-date details.
