Pakistan’s Interior Ministry is consulting institutions on possible social media age limits and restrictions on exploitative or obscene vlogging content.
ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering introducing a minimum age requirement for social media users and tighter restrictions on certain vlogging content as authorities review online safety regulations and concerns involving children.
The proposals are focused on addressing child exploitation, content described by authorities as obscene and other offenses linked to social media. However, no minimum age or new restrictions have been finalized, according to reports published Sept. 17.
The Ministry of Interior plans to consult relevant institutions before preparing recommendations on possible regulatory changes. Officials from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and federal and provincial police departments are expected to take part in the discussions.
One proposal under consideration is the introduction of a minimum age for accessing social media platforms. The government has not yet specified what the proposed age threshold would be.
Authorities are also examining measures targeting content considered obscene or exploitative when presented as family vlogging. Restrictions affecting certain social media platforms are reportedly among the options being considered, although no specific platforms have been officially identified for such measures.
Police departments across Pakistan have submitted reports to the Interior Ministry concerning child exploitation, obscenity and other offenses associated with social media use. The reports are expected to provide information for discussions over possible changes to the country’s online regulatory framework.
The government is also expected to examine approaches adopted by other countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom, as officials consider which regulatory provisions, if any, could be applied in Pakistan.
The review comes amid increased attention to children’s safety online. Earlier this month, the Punjab Assembly passed a resolution calling for restrictions on social media accounts for children under 16, including provisions related to parental consent and age verification.
The Punjab Assembly resolution did not itself establish a nationwide ban on social media use by children.
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