๐ซ Pakistan Plans to Ban Social Media for Kids Under 16 – New 2025 Bill in the Works
Written by TheHowExpert
Okay, so imagine telling a 15-year-old in Pakistan, “Beta, no TikTok, no Insta, no Snap… bas homework aur dua karo.”
That might actually become law in 2025 — no joke.
In what’s being called a bold (and slightly controversial) move, the Senate of Pakistan just dropped a legislative bombshell: a bill that could ban anyone under 16 from having a social media account.
Yes, that includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) — basically all the digital playgrounds teens live on these days.
๐ What’s the Deal with This New Bill?
It’s called the “Social Media Age Restriction Bill 2025”, and it was introduced by Senators Sarmad Ali and Masroor Ahmed.
Key Stuff the Bill Says:
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If you're under 16, you legally can't make or use social media accounts in Pakistan.
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Platforms will be forced to block such accounts — or pay fines from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5 million.
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If you help a minor sneak onto social media (hello, big bros and techie cousins ๐), you could face up to 6 months in jail. No chill.
Basically, PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) is about to become the digital police — scanning platforms, taking down underage accounts, and ensuring no teenager is out there making reels on the sly.
๐ง Why Is This Law Even Happening?
Because let’s face it — the internet is no joke anymore.
Senator Sarmad Ali explained the goal is to protect kids from online predators, explicit content, cyberbullying, and mental health risks caused by toxic trends and peer pressure.
And honestly? He kinda has a point. There’s a dark side to being online at a young age — and it’s getting messier every year.
They also want to:
✅ Raise awareness among parents
✅ Encourage digital responsibility
✅ Reduce screen addiction and anxiety issues in teens
✅ Join countries like Australia and New Zealand, which already have age limits on social media use
๐ค The Reaction So Far...
๐ Supporters Say:
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Finally! A step in the right direction.
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Kids need to focus on studies, sports, and socializing in real life — not just making trends go viral.
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It’s time to protect innocence, not exploit it.
๐ Critics Say:
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Instead of a ban, how about teaching digital safety and parental control tools?
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Kids will just lie about their age — which, let’s be honest, they already do.
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The “jail for helping” clause feels a bit... dramatic?
๐ฎ What Happens Next?
The bill is currently under review in the Senate. If it passes:
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Under-16s will officially be banned from all major platforms in Pakistan.
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Social media companies will need to update their age verification systems ASAP.
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Parents will need to step up, big time.
๐ง TheHowExpert’s Take:
Look, we all know the digital world isn’t kid-friendly. But let’s not pretend banning kids will magically fix everything.
A smarter combo would be:
๐ Better age filters + parental controls
๐ Digital awareness education in schools
๐จ๐ฉ๐ง More parent-kid convos about online life
That way, we protect and prepare our kids — not just lock them out and hope for the best.
⚠️ TL;DR Recap:
| ๐ท️ | ๐ |
|---|---|
| Bill Name | Social Media Age Restriction Bill 2025 |
| Age Ban | Under 16 |
| Platforms Affected | Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat |
| Fines | Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5 million |
| Prison Time | Up to 6 months (for enablers) |
| Status | Under review in Senate |
| Enforcement | PTA will monitor and remove underage accounts |
#SocialMediaBan #Pakistan2025 #DigitalSafety #TheHowExpert #TeenInternetLaw #TechNewsPK #PTABill
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