M Arsalan Zafar
PAKISTAN’S Senate has introduced the “Social Media (Age Restriction for Users) Bill 2025,” proposing a ban on social media accounts for children fewer than 16.
The legislation, introduced by Senators Sarmad Ali and Masroor Ahmed, represents one of the most aggressive efforts to regulate minors’ digital access, with strict penalties for violations.
Under the bill, social media companies must implement age verification systems to prevent underage registrations. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would enforce the ban by identifying and removing existing accounts belonging to minors. Platforms failing to comply face fines from 50,000 to 5 million Pakistani rupees, while individuals helping minors bypass restrictions risk six months’ imprisonment and similar fines.
The legislation addresses growing concerns about social media’s impact on youth development. Studies link excessive platform use to rising anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues among adolescents, fueled by unrealistic beauty standards and social comparisons. The case example includes Twengeetal. (2018)JournalofSocialandClinical Psychology. The study found that minors spending 5+ hours daily on social media showed 50% higher depression rates than those with 1-hour use. Royal Society for Public Health (UK, 2017) Surveyed 1,500 young people and it found that Instagram ranked the worst for body image anxiety.
Also 70% of minors reported worsened sleep and self-esteem from social media. Harvard University (2021) MRI studies showed “likes” activate brain reward centers, creating addiction like behaviors in teens. Meta’s Internal Research (2021, leaked by F. Haugen) Found 13.5% of UK teen girls reported worsened suicidal thoughts from Instagram use. CDCData(US,2023) reported a 57% increase in teen depression (2011-2021) correlated with smartphone/social media adoption. The addictive design of apps featuring endless scrolling and algorithmic feeds has also been shown to disrupt sleep patterns and reduce attention spans, with potential long-term cognitive effects.
Child safety concerns also motivated the bill. Young users face risks from online predators, cyberbullying, and exposure to extremist content. The anonymity of digital spaces leaves minors vulnerable to grooming and exploitation, while their developing judgment makes them susceptible to misinformation and harmful ideologies.
It can be argued that educators might also support this measure, noting social media’s interference with academic performance and social skill development. Excessive screen time often replaces face-to-face interactions, potentially impairing emotional intelligence. The rapid-fire nature of platform content may also diminish young users’ capacity for sustained focus on complex tasks.
Pakistan’s approach exceeds similar international measures. China limits under-18s to one hour of daily social media access, while U.S. states like Florida require parental consent for minors’ accounts. The UK’s Online Safety Act mandates platform protections for young users, and France has debated bans for under-15s. However, Pakistan’s complete prohibition for under-16s stands out for its severity.
Potential supporters of the bill may argue that the benefits outweigh concerns, emphasizing the government’s duty to protect vulnerable youth. Many parents and teachers may welcome the intervention, citing difficulties in monitoring children’s online activity amid ubiquitous smartphone use.
The Critics of the bill may question the ban’s feasibility, noting tech-savvy teens could circumvent restrictions using VPNs or fake information. Some warn it might push users toward less regulated platforms or limit access to educational resources increasingly shared through social media. Also Privacy advocates caution that robust age verification could require intrusive data collection.
Business leaders may express concerns about impacts on Pakistan’s digital economy. Social media has become vital for commerce and communication, and restrictions might hinder the development of workforce-ready digital skills.
As the bill progresses through legislative review, Pakistani policymakers must balance these competing considerations. The government has not yet shown or signaled willingness to consult tech companies, psychologists, and civil society to refine implementation. The overall outcome of the potential consultation with tech companies, psychologists, and civil society has an influence on global approaches to protecting children online while preserving digital innovation and rights.
The proposal has already succeeded in focusing national attention on digital wellbeing. With children’s development at stake, Pakistan’s social media debate will likely remain prominent as the country navigates this complex challenge of the digital age.
—The writer is contributing columnist.
