IHC hears plea seeking regulation of social media use by under-16 children

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday heard a petition seeking regulation of the social media use by under-16 children.

Chief Justice IHC Sarfaraz Doggar heard the petition seeking the court’s instructions for required legislation.

The court issued notices to the ministries of Information Technology, Information, Interior, Law, the PTA and the PEMRA and summoned their reply.

Petitioner Waqas Nasir’s lawyers Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Farid Khawaja appeared before the court pleading for an effective age verification system for social media accounts users.

Petitioners also requested a court order for legislation protecting children from cyber bullying, online harassment and safety from hazardous online material.

The court was also pleaded for devising a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for online protection of children.

Petitioner’s lawyers referring legislation in various countries as an international trend for digital protection of children.

According to the plea, an international trend exists for the protection of children in legislation of different countries.

“It is constitutional and legal responsibility of the state to protect the best interest of children”, lawyer Jalal Haider argued.

The petition earlier referred the legislation in Australia for under-16 children and a copy of the Australian law with regard to ban on under-16 for social media use also produced in the court.

Meanwhile, France’s legislation of the requirement of parent’s consent for social media accounts of the under-15 children also quoted.

Moreover, UK’s child safety measures under the Online Safety Act 2023 and proposed legislation in New Zealand and Spain were also referred in the plea.