Pakistani actress Ayesha M. Omar has called for restricting social media access for children under 18 as concerns grow in Pakistan over youngsters’ exposure to online content at increasingly early ages.
Omar suggested that social media companies should require users to provide an identity card or passport when creating accounts, potentially preventing underage children from accessing platforms without verification.
Her comments come as lawmakers and courts also examine measures aimed at protecting children online.
Meanwhile, Punjab Assembly member and Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Chairperson Sarah Ahmad has moved a resolution seeking restrictions on social media accounts for children under 16.
Punjab Resolution Seeks Age Verification and Parental Consent
The resolution calls for effective age-verification mechanisms, parental consent requirements and stronger safeguards designed to protect younger social media users.
Additionally, the issue has reached the Lahore High Court, which previously sought responses from the federal government and relevant authorities on a petition seeking restrictions on social media use by children under 16.
The proposals reflect growing concern over the type of material children can encounter while using social networks and other digital platforms.
Parents, Schools and Platforms Face Growing Responsibility
Social media has increasingly become part of children’s everyday lives, with smartphones and internet access introducing many youngsters to digital platforms at younger ages.
Consequently, children may encounter conversations, videos and other material that parents or educators consider unsuitable for their age.
The debate also raises broader questions about how responsibility should be divided among families, schools, technology companies and government authorities.
While proposed legal restrictions focus on age limits and verification, parental supervision remains another part of the discussion.
Guidance from parents can help children understand the content they consume, recognise online risks and establish appropriate boundaries when interacting with others.
The continuing debate now centres on whether Pakistan should introduce formal age restrictions and how authorities could enforce them effectively.
