Regulatory safeguards, including mandatory age-assurance mechanisms and verified parental consent for social media users under the age of 16, were urged on Monday to shield children from cyberbullying, online harassment, and digital grooming.
Mandatory social media age verification and parental consent urged to protect minors
ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 (APP):Regulatory safeguards, including mandatory age-assurance mechanisms and verified parental consent for social media users under the age of 16, were urged on Monday to shield children from cyberbullying, online harassment, and digital grooming.
The policy imperatives formed the core of a 10-point roadmap presented by Sarah Ahmad, Chairperson of the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Punjab, during the National Policy Dialogue on Safe Scroll. Organised jointly by CPWB Punjab and the federal Ministry of Human Rights, in partnership with UNICEF Pakistan and UNFPA Pakistan, the dialogue focused on bridging critical legislative and regulatory gaps in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
The recommendations call for deploying reliable age-verification technologies, instituting mandatory parental consent for minors on digital platforms, and establishing binding operational coordination between federal regulatory bodies and provincial child protection agencies. The framework also underscores the urgent need for a 24/7 rapid-response grievance portal to probe online exploitation, along with enforceable data privacy mandates requiring social media companies to filter toxic algorithms and harmful digital content targeting minors.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms Ahmad stressed that escalating digital risks demand modern statutory remedies, inter-agency cohesion, and collective institutional resolve rather than passive advisories. She also acknowledged the steadfast patronage of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in strengthening child protection systems across the province.
Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan noted that shielding minors from online abuse is both a constitutional obligation and a societal duty.
He observed that drafting legislation must be paired with robust enforcement mechanisms and dedicated operational capacity across state institutions to deliver tangible protection.
Addressing the forum, Australian High Commissioner Timothy Kane shared global best practices and regulatory paradigms, emphasizing international cooperation, cross-border intelligence sharing, and the adoption of safety-by-design standards across digital platforms.
The dialogue concluded with a consensus among lawmakers, information technology specialists, and civil society leaders on building an institutional compact uniting regulatory authorities, educational institutions, parents, and multinational technology platforms to foster a safe digital sphere for children. CPWB reaffirmed its commitment to advancing these recommendations into formal legislative enactments.
