The Senate of Pakistan has put forward a new bill that aims to ban individuals under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. Introduced on Monday, the Social Media (Age-Restricted Users) Bill 2025 is designed to protect minors online and place greater responsibility on digital platforms.
The bill, moved by Senators Sarmad Ali and Syed Masroor Ahsan, outlines strict penalties for violations. Any person or company found providing access to underage users could be fined between Rs50,000 and Rs5 million. In more serious cases, individuals may face up to six months in jail.
According to the bill’s text, all social media companies would be legally required to verify users’ ages and immediately block accounts found to be operated by minors. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would serve as the enforcement agency with the power to shut down such accounts, create guidelines, issue directions, and resolve legal uncertainties.
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However, the bill includes a safeguard for service providers, stating that if an underage account is created unknowingly and based on reasonable proof, the platform would not be held responsible.
The proposed law applies to all major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, Threads, and Bigo Live.
Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani has sent the bill to the concerned standing committee for detailed examination. If approved, the law would mark a major change in Pakistan’s approach to online safety and digital governance.
