Meta hosted the Digital Tahafuzz Summit in Islamabad on Wednesday, bringing together policymakers, educators, parents, civil society representatives and content creators to discuss how young people can grow up online while staying safe. The summit was dedicated to youth safety and well being online, and it was held in partnership with government institutions and civil society organizations, including the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the Ministry of Human Rights and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). At the event, Meta launched Digital Dialogues in Real Life, a free, browser based experience that helps teenagers, parents, educators and community groups talk through everyday online situations together. It was shaped by research and testing with young people and educators, and it is designed to familiarize parents and teens with the safety features that are already built into Teen Accounts.
Yuen Ting Chay, Director of Public Policy for South and Central Asia at Meta, said that keeping teens safe online is a responsibility shared by parents, educators, governments and civil society. She said that Teen Accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger provide default protections, and that protecting young people online cannot rest on parents navigating complex settings alone. Speakers at the summit discussed privacy, age appropriate design, default safety measures and the development of a workable, privacy preserving age assurance framework for Pakistan. Meta said that the summit builds on its teen safety work with partners in the country, and that it will continue to work with policymakers on how such protections can become an industry wide standard.
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that the online safety of children is a matter of serious concern, and that a balance is needed between protecting young users and giving them access to emerging technologies. She said that responsibility cannot rest solely with the government, technology platforms or parents, and she called for greater awareness of online risks beyond the major cities, urging companies with wide reach, including Meta, to educate children and parents about the protections that are available. She also warned that banning children from social media could push them toward less regulated platforms, and she favored stronger age checks and platform safeguards. Pakistan has not enacted a nationwide ban for children under 16, although proposals have reached Parliament, a provincial assembly and the courts.
Federal Minister for Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the protection of human dignity and fundamental rights must extend to the digital world, particularly for women and children, and that young people need awareness and confidence to make informed choices and to stand against online harassment. At the concluding session, PTA Chairman retired Lt Gen Hafeez Ur Rehman said that regulation alone is not enough to deal with the harmful effects of social media, and that parents, teachers and society must take shared responsibility. He said that the absence of a physical presence of international technology companies in Pakistan makes full enforcement of local laws challenging, and he urged parents to build friendly relationships with their children, to encourage outdoor activities and to keep communication open. He also said that similar seminars should be held regularly in different cities.
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