Pakistan moves to Ban Facebook, TikTok, Instagram for Children; full details here

A legal battle is unfolding in Pakistan, where a petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court seeking to ban social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for children under 16. This action is driven by increasing concerns over cyberbullying, harassment, exploitation, and harmful content. Lawyers Yahya Fareed Khawaja and Jalal Haider Malik are demanding a legal framework for age verification, parental controls, and stricter obligations for tech companies. This petition has also reignited discussions in Parliament about a similar bill, the Social Media (Age Limit for Users) Bill, 2025, which was previously withdrawn due to shortcomings but is now being reevaluated by lawmakers like Senator Masroor Ahsan. The petitioners emphasize the need for dedicated legislation to protect children online, citing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.