Restricting kids’ access to social media: FCC moved against registrar’s objections to petition

A constitutional petition has been filed in the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) challenging objections from the registrar regarding a request to limit social media access for children under 16 years of age. The Supreme Court's lawyers, Sheraz Zaka and Moin Akhtar, have argued in person for the FCC to overturn the registrar's order and schedule a hearing for the petition.

The appellants claim that the registrar cannot decide matters of maintainability, locus standi, or the presence of alternative remedies through an administrative order. They maintain that these are judicial questions to be decided by the court after listening to the petitioners. The main petition, previously dismissed by the registrar, called for legislative and regulatory measures to restrict social media access for children under 16, as well as for the state to fulfill its obligations.

The lawyers argue that the matter involves public significance and fundamental rights, such as the rights to life, dignity, and education, and the state's duty to safeguard children. They assert that children are exposed to harmful and unsuitable content, cyberbullying, exploitation, and manipulative design features without adequate safeguards.

The appellants contend that the petition is maintainable in the public interest due to its impact on a large and vulnerable group incapable of approaching the court independently. They also argue that the availability of alternative remedies does not restrict the FCC's jurisdiction when fundamental rights and matters of public significance are at stake. The appeal has been lodged at the Lahore registry via an advocate on record.