Punjab passes resolution to restrict access to social media for children under 16

The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution recommending measures to restrict access to social media by children below 16 years of age and ensure their safety in the digital environment.

The resolution was moved by Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau chairperson and MPA Sarah Ahmed and called for effective legislation to protect children under 16 years of age and safeguard their digital future.

The resolution recommended measures to protect children from cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation and inappropriate content. He also called for an effective age verification mechanism on social media platforms to identify underage users.

Read: Social media rules: IHC issues notices

It also recommended that social media companies comply with child protection standards and that a coordinated mechanism be established between federal and provincial institutions for the online protection of children.

Sarah said all children would be given a safe childhood and a secure digital future. He said child protection and a safe digital environment were among the priorities of the Punjab government.

He said the State had a fundamental responsibility to protect the best interests of children and that an effective regulatory framework was essential to ensure their safety in the digital environment.

Countries around the world, including China, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, have instituted measures aimed at restricting or banning young people’s access to social media, or have said they planned to do so.

Last month, France’s top court blocked a bill banning social media access for those under 15, saying it infringed on freedom of expression and dealing a blow to President Emmanuel Macron, who called on his government to rewrite the legislation.

In December, Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16, blocking them from platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook.

Read also: France’s highest court blocks ban on social media for children under 15

The European Union said it was planning to seek stronger protections for children against harmful features of social media.

However, social media companies generally oppose blanket bans, saying they already have measures in place to protect younger users, including age restrictions, although they have also said they would comply with government bans. Google, Meta, Snap and TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Social media platforms including TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat say people must be at least 13 years old to sign up.

Child protection advocates say controls are insufficient and official data in several European countries shows that large numbers of children under 13 have social media accounts.