Punjab Assembly passes resolution seeking ban on social media for under-16s

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly voted on Tuesday to propose a legal ban on social media usage for children under the age of 16. The resolution was first introduced in July by Sarah Ahmad, head of the Child Protection Bureau. It urged for comprehensive legislation and cooperation between national and provincial bodies to safeguard minors from the risks associated with social media.

The statement emphasized that the use of social media exposes children to dangers such as cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, exposure to inappropriate content, mental stress and other severe issues. The resolution cited initiatives in Australia, France, China and various U.S. states aimed at regulating social media usage by underage individuals, urging Pakistan to adopt similar protective measures.

This move follows global discussions about stricter regulations on children's social media use due to growing concerns about mental health impacts, cyber abuse, and exposure to harmful content. Numerous nations, including Australia and the European Union, have begun implementing age-based access controls, stricter verification processes, and enhanced safety laws for child users.

If approved by the Punjab Assembly, the resolution would serve as a recommendation to the federal government, which has jurisdiction over telecommunications, internet regulation, and digital platforms. Additionally, the assembly passed a resolution advocating for equal religious education and examination opportunities for prisoners from minority communities.

Proposed by Treasury member Raheela Khadim and passed with a majority vote, the resolution noted that under Punjab Prison Rules 1978, Rule 215 allows prisoners to receive remission for religious education. From 2020 to 2025, 2,558 Muslim inmates availed of this provision. The resolution called for similar provisions for Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and other minority prisoners, ensuring they receive equal access to their respective religious curricula, examinations, and sentence remission upon completion of religious education, as mandated by law.