A petition seeking to ban social media for children under 16 has reached Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court. Lawyers Sheraz Zaka and Moin Akhtar filed it at the Lahore registry. Zaka described himself as an activist behind the case. Akhtar filed it as the father of a minor child.
The petitioners describe it as the first such petition before the FCC. They cited Australia, Italy, and Brazil as guiding examples. Each of those countries already restricts social media for under-16 users. Therefore, they argue similar measures are both possible and necessary locally.
The petition centers on several documented harms to children. It highlights exposure to cyberbullying and addictive platform designs. Additionally, it raises concerns about sexualised material online. It also flags the glorification of alcohol as damaging. The petitioners say these harm children’s mental and moral development.
The petition makes several specific demands of the government. Primarily, it wants PECA 2016 amended to restrict under-16 access. This restriction would work through an age-verification mechanism. Notably, the lawyers argue current law requires no such age checks.
Beyond social media, the petition targets television content too. It accuses PEMRA of failing to enforce its own conduct code. Specifically, it cites intimate scenes and alcohol shown during child-viewing hours. Consequently, the petitioners want stricter enforcement during those periods.
The case also connects to Pakistan’s broader education crisis directly. It cites figures suggesting 25 million children remain out of school. The petition invokes constitutional rights to life, dignity, and education. It also references the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Importantly, this is not Pakistan’s first attempt at such rules. A Senate bill seeking a similar ban was withdrawn in August 2025. Senators later revived the debate through a calling-attention notice. Separately, a 12-year-old’s petition already reached the Islamabad High Court. That court directed the PTA and PEMRA to submit detailed reports.
Globally, the momentum is undeniable and accelerating rapidly. Australia’s landmark ban deactivated roughly five million under-16 accounts. Meanwhile, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the UAE have adopted similar restrictions. However, France’s Constitutional Council struck down its blanket under-15 ban. That ruling shows such measures can face real legal hurdles ahead.
