Legal input sought on social media ban for teenagers

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has summoned the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) to assist the court in a petition seeking a ban on social media use by children under the age of 16.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the petition filed by Alia Saleem. The petitioner's counsel presented arguments before the court.

Written responses from the Federal Ministry of Law and Justice and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) were submitted to the court during the previous hearing.

The petitioner contended that Pakistan currently lacks a legal mechanism for age verification of children under 16 on social media platforms.

The petition also alleged that PEMRA has failed to effectively enforce its code of conduct aimed at preventing inappropriate content in television dramas and advertisements.

Citing measures adopted in countries including Australia, Italy and Brazil, the petitioner urged the court to impose a similar restriction in Pakistan on social media use by children under 16.

The petition seeks a complete ban on the depiction of indecent scenes and alcohol consumption in television dramas and advertisements.

It also calls for the establishment of a mechanism to protect children on social media platforms and seeks amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to introduce a mandatory age-verification system for children.

The court has summoned the attorney general to assist it in determining the legal and regulatory aspects of the matter.

The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) submitted a 17-page response to the Islamabad High Court (IHC), calling for strict age-verification systems and legal protections against online harm.