The debate over restricting social media use by children has once again taken centre stage in Pakistan. A resolution moved in the Punjab Assembly by MPA Sarah Ahmad calls for a ban, or at least stringent regulations, on the use of social media by children under the age of 16. It further proposes that minors should only be allowed to access social media with the consent of their parents or legal guardians. Since the regulation of digital platforms falls within the jurisdiction of the federal government through the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the resolution recommends that the federal government enact the necessary legislation. According to Sarah Ahmad, the objective is to protect children from cyber-bullying, exploitation, online harassment, and the broader harmful effects of social media.
This is hardly a new debate in Pakistan. Ever since social media became an integral part of daily life, concerns over its adverse consequences have surfaced repeatedly. While much attention has been paid to the impact on children, excessive screen time among adults has also emerged as a growing concern. Nor is this discussion unique to Pakistan. Across the world, governments, academics, and policymakers continue to examine both the benefits and risks associated with social media. Extensive scientific and scholarly research has focused particularly on the increasing use of these platforms by children and adolescents. The issue has moved well beyond public discourse; it is now firmly on the agenda of governments, legislatures, and regulatory institutions around the world.
Ever since social media became an integral part of daily life, concerns over its adverse consequences have surfaced repeatedly.
Pakistan’s debate comes at a time when many developed countries are either considering or have already introduced stricter laws governing children’s access to social media. Australia, for instance, has become the first country to legally prohibit social media accounts for children under the age of 16. Companies that fail to comply face substantial financial penalties. Significantly, the law places responsibility not on the child user but on the social media platforms themselves. France has also made children’s access to social media conditional upon parental consent, while the United Kingdom and the European Union are pursuing similar legislative initiatives.
There is little doubt that digital media has transformed our lives over the past decade and a half. It has accelerated the pace of change and made everyday life significantly more convenient. It has reshaped education, political communication, interpersonal relationships, and private communication, while contributing substantially to economic and social development. Yet the same digital revolution has also had profound consequences for our physical, mental, and psychological well-being. These concerns have prompted governments, psychologists, lawmakers, and researchers to examine the issue more seriously and, in many cases, pursue legislative intervention.
A significant body of research now explores how social media algorithms are deliberately designed around psychological principles to maximise user engagement and keep individuals online for as long as possible. This design often results in compulsive screen use and digital addiction. Numerous scientific and academic studies have also linked excessive social media use to depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and a range of other psychological and physical health problems. Research further suggests that heavy social media consumption negatively affects adolescents’ academic performance, contributes to emotional distress and insomnia, and may even lead to vision problems, neck strain, and other health complications.
Any discussion about limiting social media use inevitably raises questions about freedom of expression. Critics ask whether restricting access to a digital platform can ever provide a lasting solution. In Pakistan, too, some opponents, particularly those who interpret the issue through a political lens, argue that such proposals amount to an attempt to silence young people and restrict free expression. However, the more relevant comparison is with age-based restrictions that already exist in society. We do not allow young children to drive motorcycles or cars, not because we wish to deny them freedom of movement, but because such restrictions are essential for their safety. The same principle applies to social media. Reasonable limitations are intended not to suppress children but to safeguard them in an increasingly complex digital environment.
Across the developed world, the conversation is no longer confined to digital freedom; it increasingly revolves around digital safety. In many policy debates, the obligation of protecting children outweighs the unrestricted exercise of digital liberties. After all, what value does unlimited freedom hold if it comes at the cost of a child’s mental, emotional, and physical health?
At the same time, it is equally true that complete disengagement from digital media is neither practical nor desirable in today’s interconnected world. But does that mean we should simply leave ourselves and our children at the mercy of an unsafe digital ecosystem? Should people of every age enjoy identical and unrestricted access to social media, regardless of their level of maturity? Common sense suggests otherwise. Children and adults have different capacities for judgment, self-regulation, and risk assessment. It is therefore reasonable to establish age-appropriate rules and safeguards.
Legislation alone, however, cannot solve the problem. Whenever restrictions are imposed, users often resort to virtual private networks (VPNs) or circumvent regulations by creating accounts with false ages. Any regulatory framework must therefore be complemented by ethical guidelines, greater parental awareness, and stronger digital literacy programs in schools. Children need to understand not only how to use digital platforms, but also how to use them responsibly and safely.
If legislation eventually introduces a minimum age of 16 for social media use or requires parental consent and age-verification mechanisms, there is little reason to oppose such measures. Most parents share a common aspiration: they want their children to benefit from digital media, but within limits that ensure their safety, well-being, and healthy development. The real challenge, therefore, is not choosing between digital freedom and digital safety, but striking a thoughtful balance between the two.
The writer is a Professor of Media and Communication Studies and a broadcast media expert. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Department of Film and Broadcasting at Punjab University.