ISLAMABAD, July 22, 2025 – The Senate has introduced the “Social Media (Age Restriction for Users) Bill 2025,” seeking to prohibit anyone under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts in Pakistan. The legislation, backed by Senators Sarmad Ali and Masroor Ahmed, aims to protect minors from cyberbullying, online exploitation, and exposure to harmful digital content.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
Age Restriction: Individuals under 16 will be barred from creating new social media accounts.
Strict Penalties: Anyone who assists minors in opening accounts may face up to six months imprisonment. Platforms allowing underage users could be fined between Rs 50,000 and Rs 5 million.
Enforcement Role of PTA: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will be empowered to remove existing underage accounts and issue compliance rules to ensure enforcement.
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Global Context:
Pakistan’s move mirrors similar steps taken internationally. Australia enacted the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, which, starting December 2025, will ban users under 16 from social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X. Non-compliant platforms there face penalties of up to A$50 million .
New Zealand is also advancing a Members’ Bill to enforce age-verification before granting account access—similar in intent and design .