Sarah Ahmad Proposes Age Verification System for Young Social Media Users
LAHORE: Sarah Ahmad, Chairperson of the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Punjab and Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA), has submitted a resolution in the Punjab Assembly calling for restrictions on social media access for children under the age of 16.
In a statement, Ahmad said the initiative aligns with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision of ensuring a safe childhood and a secure digital future for every child. She emphasized that protecting children from the harmful effects of social media, including cyberbullying, online exploitation, and exposure to inappropriate content, is both a constitutional and moral responsibility of the state.
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Punjab Assembly Resolution Calls for Safer Digital Environment for Children
The resolution urges the introduction of effective legal measures and a robust age-verification system for social media accounts used by minors. Ahmad noted that several countries, including Australia, France, China, and various U.S. states, have already implemented laws and age-based restrictions for young social media users. She said Pakistan should follow international trends and adopt similar safeguards to ensure a safer online environment for children.
The resolution also recommends that the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) develop a comprehensive regulatory and monitoring framework. According to Ahmad, safeguarding the best interests of children remains a top priority for the provincial government, with the goal of providing every child with a secure childhood and a protected digital future.
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