Pakistan's Senate on Monday forwarded legislation that would prohibit children under 16 from creating social media accounts, moving the South Asian nation closer to joining a growing list of countries restricting young people's access to online platforms.
The bill, titled the "Social Media (Age-Restricted Users) Act, 2025," was presented during the upper house's private member's day by Senators Syed Masroor Ahsan and Sarmad Ali. The government raised no objections, and the legislation was sent to the relevant standing committee for further review.
Under the proposed law, social media platforms would face fines ranging from PKR 50,000 to PKR 5 million ($180 to $18,000) for allowing underage users to create accounts. The bill also imposes criminal penalties on individuals who help minors access restricted platforms, including up to six months in prison and similar financial penalties.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority would be required to block existing accounts held by users under 16 and establish rules to prevent future underage account creation.
"Children in Pakistan use social media late at night, which is harmful," Senator Masroor Ahsan said while presenting the bill. He cited recent policy changes in Australia and New Zealand as models for Pakistan's approach.
Worldwide trend
The legislation comes as governments worldwide grapple with concerns about social media's impact on young people's mental health and development. Australia recently enacted a ban on social media accounts for users under 16, with platforms facing fines up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for non-compliance.
Similar age restrictions exist in France, which requires parental consent for users under 15, and Spain, which bans users under 16 from opening accounts without guardian authorization.
The Pakistani bill states that evidence shows social media use is having negative impacts on young people and aims to implement "strict age verification measures" while promoting "digital literacy and public awareness programs."
The bill now awaits committee review before potentially returning to the full Senate for a vote.
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