The Senate is set to withdraw the private bill proposing a ban on social media use for children under 16, following strong objections from key stakeholders. Senators from the PPP, who had introduced the bill, confirmed that a revised version will be reintroduced with significant changes.
Sources revealed that concerns were raised about the proposed age limit of 16 and the harsh penalties outlined in the bill, including the requirement to block accounts of minors and penalties for non-compliance. On the leadership’s instructions, PPP senators Masroor Ahsan and Sarmad Ali agreed to withdraw the bill, with plans for a revised draft to be presented after consultation.
What changes are expected
The revised bill is expected to lower the minimum age to around 13 or 14, with more moderate penalties replacing the proposed six-month prison term and Rs5 million fine. The new draft will also likely strengthen the role of parents in monitoring and blocking their children’s social media accounts, making families and platforms jointly responsible.
Initially introduced in the Senate on July 21, the Social Media (Age-Restricted Users) Bill 2025 aimed to create a safer digital environment for minors by holding social media companies accountable for verifying users’ ages and blocking underage accounts.
Key provisions of the bill
Under the original bill, companies or individuals who allowed under-16s access to social media could face fines ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs5 million, and in severe cases, up to six months in prison. The bill also tasked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) with regulating compliance, including blocking underage accounts and issuing orders for enforcement.
The bill applied to major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, YouTube, and others. Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani had referred the bill to the relevant standing committee for further review.
