Pakistan’s Senate is preparing to withdraw the Social Media (Age-Restricted Users) Bill 2025, which had proposed banning the use of social media platforms for children under the age of 16. The decision comes after strong objections from stakeholders, who raised concerns over the strict age restriction, punitive measures, and enforcement mechanisms outlined in the draft. PPP senators Masroor Ahsan and Sarmad Ali, who had jointly presented the bill, confirmed that a motion to withdraw it will be placed before the House, following instructions from party leadership. The lawmakers also stated that a revised draft will be introduced after consultations to address key concerns.
Sources close to the matter revealed that the biggest challenge was the proposed minimum age limit of 16 years, which many stakeholders found impractical. The penalties, including a prison sentence of up to six months and fines reaching Rs5 million for violators, were also criticized for being overly harsh. Additionally, the requirement for social media companies to block accounts belonging to minors and the authority of PTA to shut down such accounts raised operational and compliance issues. After deliberations, the senators agreed to revisit the bill and reduce the severity of restrictions while still ensuring safeguards for minors in the digital space. The revised draft is expected to lower the minimum age threshold to 13 or 14, while penalties will likely be reduced to encourage a more balanced enforcement approach.
Another significant expected change in the revised version is the increased role of parents in monitoring their children’s social media activity. Instead of placing the full responsibility on platforms, the new draft will emphasize shared accountability between families and service providers. This adjustment aims to make the law more practical and reflective of ground realities, while still ensuring protections for younger users. Stakeholders believe that greater involvement of parents could strengthen monitoring and foster responsible usage without overburdening telecom and digital service companies. PPP senators highlighted that the objective remains to create a safer online environment for minors, but one that is enforceable and aligned with social and cultural expectations.
The original bill, introduced on July 21, 2025, had outlined extensive measures, including mandatory age verification for all users, account blocking for underage individuals, and strict penalties for non-compliance. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, Bigo Live, Threads, and others would have been covered under the law. PTA was assigned the role of regulator, with powers to issue directives, create enforcement procedures, and adjudicate disputes. Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani had earlier referred the bill to the standing committee for further review, but following widespread criticism, the decision to withdraw and redraft it was taken. While the revised bill is yet to be tabled, expectations suggest it will maintain the spirit of protecting minors online while offering a more measured and workable regulatory framework.
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