ISLAMABAD — The Senate of Pakistan has introduced a landmark legislative proposal aimed at restricting children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. Titled the “Social Media (Age Limitation) Bill 2025,” the bill was presented on Monday by Senators Sarmad Ali and Masroor Ahmed, who cited growing concerns over cyberbullying, digital exploitation, and the mental health impact of social media on minors.
The proposed bill would make it unlawful for anyone below the age of 16 to create or operate an account on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and others. Lawmakers argue that minors are particularly vulnerable to online predators, inappropriate content, and mental health risks associated with excessive social media use.
The legislation outlines strict penalties for violators. Social media companies that allow underage users to create accounts could face fines ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs5 million, depending on the scale and frequency of the violations. In addition, any individual found assisting a minor in creating or accessing a social media account could face imprisonment of up to six months.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been designated as the primary enforcement body under the bill. It will be responsible for identifying and deleting underage accounts, as well as drafting detailed rules and enforcement procedures to ensure compliance by all platforms operating in the country.
Speaking about the bill, Senator Sarmad Ali emphasized that the legislation aims to raise awareness in addition to enforcing regulations.
“This bill is not just a regulatory step — it’s also a public awareness campaign to educate parents and children about the serious risks of the online world,” he said.
He added that the proposed law brings Pakistan in alignment with global digital safety norms, referencing similar measures adopted in Australia and New Zealand, where platforms are legally required to verify user age and enforce child safety protocols.
If passed, the bill will place legal responsibility on social media companies to implement age verification systems, while empowering parents and regulators to monitor and restrict online access for minors. The move is being hailed as a step toward creating a safer digital environment for Pakistan’s youth.
