Islamabad: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has been moved for issuing directives for legislation and formation of effective system for verification of age in the matter of use of social media by under age children.

A petition in this regard has been filed by the petitioner through his lawyers including Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Farid Khawaja advocate wherein it has been prayed for evolving system for effective verification of age in respect of children below 16 years with reference to social media accounts.

The petitioner took the plea effective legislation is needed to secure the children from evil effects of social media, cyber bullying, online harassment and harmful material.

The steps taken in European countries in connection with verification of age with reference to use of social media by children were presented as comparative precedent.

The law in force in France regarding ban on use of social media by children below 16 years was also referred to. The precedent of legislation in France for seeking willingness of parents for social media accounts in respect of children below 15 years has also been given.

Citing to the steps taken for online protection of children under UK Online Safety Act 2023 , mention has been made regarding proposed legislation with regard to ban on use of social media by children below 16 years in New Zealand and Spain.

IT ministry, Information ministry, Interior ministry, law ministry, PTA and PEMRA have been made respondents in the petition.

The petitioner has requested for evolving special social media protection and regulatory mechanism for online protection of children.

The petitioner is of the view different countries in the world are linking use of social media by children to age limit and safety measures. Therefore, effective legislation be enacted in Pakistan for protection of children.