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ProPakistani
IHC Petition Seeks Social Media Ban for Under-16s in Pakistan
A petition filed in the Islamabad High Court requests federal action to prevent users under 16 from setting up social media accounts in Pakistan. Key concerns include cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content. It advocates for a robust age-verification system and outlines penalties for parents violating the proposed guidelines. The petition references similar legislative actions in other countries to highlight its urgency and seeks to implement nationwide restrictions.
MonitorConfidence: MediumShort term horizonRegulatory risk: High
Published 24 Aug 2026, 10:55 UTC2 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Petition filed in Islamabad High Court to ban social media for under-16s.
- Focus on risks including cyberbullying and sexual exploitation.
- Proposal for a comprehensive age-verification system.
- Citings of Australia's online safety laws as a precedent.
- Call for penalties on parents enabling account creation for underage users.
Interesting facts
- DataReportal notes Pakistan had 117 million internet users and 79.9 million social media accounts in 2025.
- Legal principle of parens patriae is invoked to protect minors.