Google launches Digital Pasban to boost online safety in Pakistan

Google has introduced a new initiative called Digital Pasban in Pakistan, pledging $500,000 through Google.org. This initiative aims to provide 200,000 households with Urdu-language digital safety tools, workshops, and AI safety resources to protect families from online risks. Launched at the Safe Raho with Google event, Digital Pasban targets parents and children as more families access the internet for education, entertainment, and daily tasks.

The initiative, which partners with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Tech Valley, Beaconhouse School System, Jazz World, and HUM Network, along with the support of several ministries, brings together online safety tools with digital literacy. Key components include Family Link, a parental control app; YouTube's age-appropriate content settings; Be Internet Awesome for children aged 7 to 12; and Gemini, which helps parents guide children on using AI responsibly.

Digital Pasban also focuses on community engagement through broadcast media, SMS alerts, partner social campaigns, school-based town halls, and parent and guardian safety clinics. Google's commitment to the initiative emphasizes the importance of cross-sector partnerships to ensure every family in Pakistan can safely explore the internet.