LAHORE: A resolution has been submitted in the Punjab Assembly seeking restrictions on social media access for children under the age of 16, proposing that minors should not be allowed to create or maintain social media accounts without the consent of their parents or legal guardians.

The resolution, submitted by Punjab Assembly member Sarah Ahmed, urges the provincial government to recommend that the federal government introduce comprehensive legislation to regulate children’s use of social media and strengthen online safety measures.

It states that protecting children’s physical, mental, psychological and moral development is both a constitutional and moral responsibility of the state, warning that unrestricted access to social media has exposed minors to cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, inappropriate content, mental health issues and digital addiction.

The resolution proposes that children under the age of 16 should only be permitted to use social media platforms with the approval of their parents or legal guardians.

It also recommends introducing a reliable age verification mechanism to ensure effective implementation of the proposed restrictions.

The resolution further urges the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to require all social media platforms operating in Pakistan to implement age verification systems and comply with child protection standards.

It calls on social media companies to promptly remove harmful content and provide a safer digital environment for young users.

The resolution also recommends launching nationwide awareness campaigns for parents, teachers and children to promote digital literacy, online safety and responsible use of the internet.