ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday heard a petition about social media use by children under 16.
The petition seeks court directions for legislation to protect children online.
Chief Justice IHC Sarfaraz Dogar heard the case. The court also issued notices to several government departments.
Notices were sent to the ministries of Information Technology, Information, Interior and Law. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and PEMRA also received notices.
The court directed the relevant authorities to submit their responses.
The petition was filed by Waqas Nasir. His lawyers, Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Farid Khawaja, appeared before the court.
The lawyers called for an effective age verification system for social media accounts. They said stronger measures were needed to protect young users.
The petition also seeks legislation against cyberbullying and online harassment. It calls for safeguards against harmful and dangerous online content.
The lawyers asked the court to establish a comprehensive legal framework. The proposed framework would focus on children’s safety on digital platforms.
The petition highlighted international measures adopted to protect children online. It referred to laws and proposals from several countries.
During the hearing, lawyer Jalal Haider stressed the state’s responsibility toward children. He said protecting children’s best interests is a constitutional and legal duty.
The petition specifically referred to Australia’s social media restrictions for children under 16. A copy of the relevant Australian legislation was also presented before the court.
The lawyers also cited France’s rules concerning children under 15. Under the cited framework, parental consent is required for social media accounts.
The petition further mentioned the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act 2023. It highlighted child safety measures included under the legislation.
Proposed measures in New Zealand and Spain were also mentioned in the petition. The references were presented as examples of international efforts.
The petitioners argued that Pakistan should also develop stronger digital safety protections. They said children face growing risks while using online platforms.
The IHC will consider the responses from the government departments and regulators. Their replies could help determine the next course of action.
The case focuses on creating safeguards for children in the digital environment. It also seeks clearer rules for social media platforms operating in Pakistan.
The petition calls for an effective system to verify users’ ages. It also seeks stronger legal protection against online abuse and harmful material.
In other news read more about IHC Petition Seeks Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
The IHC proceedings could provide direction on the proposed regulatory framework. The matter remains focused on children’s online safety and digital protection.
