Pakistan’s Senate has taken up concerns regarding young children accessing social media platforms without adequate supervision, highlighting growing unease among lawmakers over the social and digital risks facing minors. The issue was formally raised during a recent Senate session after Senator Falak Naz submitted a Notice for Attention, drawing the House’s focus to what she described as an increasingly serious challenge for families and institutions. The discussion reflected broader worries about how unchecked digital access may be affecting children’s behavior, safety, and well being in an environment where online platforms are deeply embedded in daily life.
Responding to the notice, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry described the matter as a national concern rather than a routine policy issue. He told the House that unrestricted access to digital platforms by young children poses significant social risks and requires attention beyond standard regulatory debates. According to him, the scale and impact of the issue demand wider public discussion and awareness, as digital exposure at an early age can influence social development and create vulnerabilities. He emphasized that the issue should be addressed through a collective approach that includes families, educational institutions, and relevant state bodies.
Presiding Officer Sherry Rehman noted that the challenge of children using social media without oversight is not limited to technology policy alone. She explained that the issue could not simply be referred to the IT Committee, as multiple ministries have a role to play, making the matter more complex. In her view, addressing the problem requires coordination across sectors, including education, law, information technology, and social welfare. Due to this cross cutting nature, she proposed the formation of a special committee under the guidance of the Senate Chairman to examine the issue comprehensively and develop coordinated recommendations.
Sherry Rehman also underlined the importance of the legal dimension in shaping any response. She said the Ministry of Law must be involved because of the sensitive nature of regulating children’s access to digital platforms and protecting their rights. Legal input, she added, is essential before moving toward long term measures, particularly where issues of privacy, parental responsibility, and platform accountability intersect. She reiterated her support for establishing a dedicated committee that would study the risks in detail and propose practical steps to safeguard children from the effects of unmonitored social media use.
The proposed committee, according to lawmakers, would be tasked with reviewing existing laws, identifying regulatory gaps, and suggesting mechanisms to improve parental awareness and institutional coordination. The discussion highlighted the need for clearer national policies that reflect the realities of digital adoption among young users while balancing freedom of access with child protection. Senators noted that while technology offers educational and social benefits, the absence of proper oversight can expose minors to inappropriate content, online exploitation, and other harmful influences.
The debate in the Senate reflects a broader shift in how policymakers view digital platforms and their impact on society, particularly on younger age groups. Lawmakers acknowledged that addressing these challenges requires cooperation between ministries, informed legal frameworks, and sustained public awareness efforts. As digital platforms continue to shape communication and social interaction, the issue of child safety online is increasingly seen as a matter of national importance that extends beyond technology regulation and into social policy and governance.
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