LHC Considers Landmark Ban on Social Media for Children Under 16; Seeks Govt Reply.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has initiated a significant discussion regarding

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has initiated a significant discussion regarding child safety in the digital age, taking up a petition to ban social media use for children under the age of 16 in Pakistan. Presiding over the case, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum observed that the issue is a sensitive policy matter that requires a comprehensive government-led framework rather than just judicial intervention. The court has directed the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to submit a formal response by February 10, 2026, to determine the feasibility of such a restriction.

Key Points of the Case:

Petition Origins: The case was triggered by a petition from an eighth-grade student, Aliya Saleem, who argued that unregulated access to platforms like TikTok and Facebook exposes minors to inappropriate content and mental health risks.
Legislative Support: This development aligns with a recent Senate proposal led by Senator Falak Naz and others, who have called for a “Social Media (Age-Restricted Users) Act” to protect those under 18 from online exploitation and harmful trends.
Global Precedent: The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Shiza Qureshi, highlighted that Australia recently implemented a world-first ban for under-16s in December 2025, with major tech firms facing fines up to $50 million for non-compliance.
Safety & Accountability: The move aims to shield children from cyberbullying and the “fatal patterns” of social media-driven stunts that have recently claimed lives in Pakistan.

If implemented, the policy could mandate robust age verification systems and parental consent mechanisms for all digital platforms operating within the country.