Govt weighs minimum age limit for social media users in Pakistan

The federal government is considering changes to the legal framework governing social media platforms in Pakistan, citing concerns over child exploitation, obscene content and other online offences, sources told ProPakistani.

Proposals under review include setting a minimum age requirement for social media users and restricting obscene material circulated under the cover of vlogging and similar digital activity.

The Ministry of Interior will consult stakeholders before finalising its recommendations. The process is expected to include federal and provincial authorities, law enforcement agencies and other institutions working on online safety.

Police departments in all four provinces have submitted reports to the ministry on the rising number of cases involving child exploitation, obscenity and social media-related crime. According to sources, those reports will be reviewed as the ministry drafts its measures.

The government also intends to examine regulatory approaches adopted by other countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom, and to assess reported cases in Pakistan to determine what legal and regulatory changes are needed.

No timeline for the consultations or for finalising the recommendations has been announced.