{
  "id": 10861066,
  "title": "Restricting kids’ access to social media: FCC moved against registrar’s objections to petition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/restricting-kids-access-to-social-media-fcc-moved-against-registrars",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T05:02:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2033599/restricting-kids-access-to-social-media-fcc-moved-against-registrars-objections-to-petition"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "LAHORE: An appeal has been filed in the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) challenging objections raised by its registrar to a constitutional petition seeking measures to restrict access to social media platforms by children below 16 years of age. Supreme Court’s lawyers – Sheraz Zaka and Moin Akhtar – who filed the appeal in person, have urged the FCC to set aside the registrar’s order and order…",
  "key_points": [
    "Constitutional petition filed to limit social media access for children under 16.",
    "Supreme Court lawyers argue FCC should overturn registrar's order and hold hearing.",
    "Petition claims fundamental rights and public significance in protecting children."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The petition's revival puts pressure on the state to take action safeguarding children's rights and dignity in the face of social media's potential harms, shifting the onus to lawmakers and regulators.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}