ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notices to the federal government, seeking a detailed report on measures taken to regulate social media access for children under the age of 16.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, in a two-page written order, responded to a petition filed by minor Akbar Khan Shinwari through his father, which sought enforcement of fundamental rights by restricting and monitoring children’s use of social media.
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The court emphasized the importance of protecting children from potential online harms, including cyberbullying, mental health challenges, privacy violations, and exposure to inappropriate content.
The IHC directed the federal government, the Ministry of Information Technology, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to submit a report by March 3. The report should provide para-wise details of the steps taken to establish a regulatory framework for social media use by minors, including age-verification mechanisms and enforcement measures by platforms.
The court also sought updates on the proposed Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, along with any draft regulatory measures or executive orders under consideration to safeguard minors online.
In addition, the IHC instructed that the report address monitoring and enforcement strategies in line with the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act (PECA), 2025, and Pakistan’s constitutional mandate to protect children.
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The petitioner highlighted that multiple countries worldwide have enacted laws to regulate social media use among minors and urged Pakistan to implement similar protections to ensure children’s online safety.
The court’s order reflects growing concern over the unregulated access of children to social media platforms and the need for a formalized system to mitigate online risks while balancing digital freedoms.