Senate has introduced the Social Media (Age Restriction for Users) Bill 2025, which proposes to prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from creating accounts on any social media platform. The bill, presented by Senators Sarmad Ali and Masroor Ahmed, is part of ongoing efforts to protect minors from online threats, including cyberbullying, exploitation, and exposure to harmful content.
The proposed legislation outlines strict enforcement measures. Social media companies that fail to prevent access by underage users could face penalties ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs5 million. In addition, any individual found assisting a minor in creating a social media account may be subject to imprisonment of up to six months. The responsibility for enforcement will lie with PTA, which will be authorized to delete accounts of users found to be below the legal age and to draft rules to operationalize the provisions of the bill.
The bill aims to align Pakistan’s digital policy with practices adopted in countries like Australia and New Zealand, which have also introduced regulations restricting access to social media for young teenagers. New Zealand recently implemented a similar restriction, and in 2024, Australia passed a law described as one of the world’s most stringent policies targeting underage use of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Senator Sarmad Ali emphasized the importance of digital protection for children, stating that the bill is designed to ensure safer online environments. He noted that exposure to digital platforms at a young age can result in long-term psychological and emotional effects. By regulating access, the bill also intends to promote greater awareness among parents and children about responsible internet use.
Under the new law, social media platforms will be held accountable for verifying the age of their users and taking proactive steps to prevent underage access. The legislation mandates that companies take reasonable technical and procedural measures to comply, shifting the legal responsibility away from users and firmly onto the platforms. This framework is designed to create stronger institutional safeguards while encouraging platforms to improve age-verification systems.
The bill has gained support as part of a broader initiative to enhance digital governance and online safety in Pakistan. Senators backing the proposal argue that the law is a necessary step in regulating online content and user access, particularly in light of the rising number of minors engaging with digital platforms without adequate supervision.
With its introduction in the Senate, the bill has entered the legislative process and is expected to go through further debate. The framework grants PTA significant regulatory authority to oversee its implementation, ensuring that platforms comply with the proposed age restrictions and that existing underage accounts are effectively removed.
