The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) has told the Islamabad High Court that protecting minors from online grooming, exploitation and harmful content is the responsibility of the state, and has proposed legal and institutional reforms to improve child safety on social media.
The commission made the submission in a 17-page response in a case on social media use by children under 16. It acknowledged the concerns raised in the petition and said effective legal and regulatory measures are essential for online child safety.
The NCRC called for age verification mechanisms and a comprehensive regulatory framework. It recommended that child online safety be integrated into the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, with a focus on age verification and effective protection systems.
To address technology-facilitated child exploitation, the commission recommended strengthening the capacity of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency and setting up specialised systems to investigate online child sexual exploitation. It also proposed reviewing and amending the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) from a child rights perspective.
The commission said digital platforms must be held more accountable for child safety. It urged action against child sexual abuse material and online grooming, along with measures for the immediate removal of such content.
“There is also a need to limit unnecessary online contact between children and unknown adults,” the commission said. It added that legislation, platform accountability and effective enforcement are essential.
The NCRC noted the need to balance children’s digital rights with their protection online. It maintained that the issue requires effective legal and institutional measures rather than policy alone.
Advocates Muhammad Jalal Haider and Yahya Farid are representing the petitioner.
