Urooj Niazi 
pakistan to establish age requirement for social media platforms
Pakistan May Soon Set Age Limit for Social Media Users
The government of Pakistan plans to limit the minimum age for using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat to protect children and young people from harmful content.
This was explained by Caretaker IT Minister Dr. Umar Saif, who told the media that the Ministry of IT and Telecom had drafted a proposal to implement a minimum age rule and submitted it to the Prime Minister’s Office for review. He said the policy will be forwarded to the Parliament for final approval if the Prime Minister’s Office endorses it.
How Will It Work?
If the proposal is approved, social media apps may be required to verify the user’s age using CNIC numbers or some digital ID system. This means anyone wanting to create an account will have to prove that they are old enough.This proposed regulation is gaining traction as there are numerous new reports highlighting the effects of social media on mental illness, screen addiction, and cyberbullying and online harm to youth.
What is the public reaction?
Public reaction to the announcement was mixed. Parents and digital ethics advocates generally embraced it because they believe that children require more online protection and they agree on the application of strict rules for their protection. In contrast, others have raised alarm bells that this age restriction will be used as a means of censorship or curtailing freedom to express oneself online. They agree that the government must find a solution to serve and protect children, while still permitting citizens their freedom and the right to express themselves. Similar laws and regulations have been implemented by different countries, such as the EU, UK, and USA. The EU introduced The Digital Services Act which requires technology companies to validate the age of their users and protect minors from harmful content.
