A new bill introduced in the Senate aims to restrict social media access for children under the age of 16. A move that has sparked concern among digital rights advocates who fear it could open the door to broader online restrictions and surveillance.
The bill, presented by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan and Senator Sarmad Ali of the Pakistan People’s Party, proposes a ban on all children under 16 from accessing platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
If passed, the bill would prohibit minors from accessing platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Social media companies that allow underage users could face fines between Rs 50,000 and Rs 5 million. Adults who help children open accounts may face up to six months in jail. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would be responsible for deleting underage users’ accounts and implementing an age-verification mechanism.
Speaking to Digital Rights Monitor, Senator Sarmad Ali admitted that the bill is still in a very early stage, repeatedly describing it as “premature” and offering little clarity on how it would be implemented.
“The bill is currently with the People’s Party’s legislative body. From there, it will go to the Ministry of Information. Then we’ll see what needs to be done,” he said, offering no timeline or clear roadmap.
He acknowledged that enforcing the proposed age restriction, particularly on global platforms, would be difficult. “But this is a start,” he said. “Maybe it will have a positive psychological impact on children. They might see it as something good for them, not a restriction.”
The Senator also admitted that no consultations were held with digital rights groups or relevant stakeholders before drafting the bill. “There should be discussions with stakeholders, including digital rights organisations,” he said, but added, “Right now, there’s nothing concrete. This is just the beginning. Our intention is simply to protect children from harm. E-learning will not be affected.”
Although the bill is being presented as a way to protect children, digital rights groups are concerned because experts weren’t consulted, and it’s unclear how the law would even work.
When Digital Rights Monitor reached out to Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, the bill’s co-presentor, for comment, he declined to respond.
Digital rights advocates, however, are raising red flags.
Sadaf Khan, co-founder of Media Matters for Democracy, told DRM that the bill raises serious concerns. “The idea of protecting children online is important, but when you start introducing blanket bans, it sets a dangerous precedent,” she said. “What we need are strong awareness campaigns, digital literacy programs for children and parents, and proper consultation with experts, not vague laws that could be misused.”
Khan also stressed that the absence of stakeholder engagement during the drafting process is alarming. “Any policy around digital rights, especially those involving children, must involve voices from civil society, education experts, mental health professionals, and digital platforms.”
The bill has yet to be formally debated in the Senate, and its chances of passage remain unclear. But digital rights groups warn that without meaningful dialogue and clarity on enforcement mechanisms, it risks doing more harm than good.