Islamabad:
Concerns over the excessive and unmonitored use of social media applications by young children, and the risks of online harassment and exploitation, were raised in the Senate on Tuesday through a call-attention notice that drew support from several lawmakers.
The notice was moved by Senator Falak Naz, who warned that unrestricted access to digital platforms was exposing children to harmful online content and abuse. Senators from across the house participated in the discussion, describing the issue as both urgent and sensitive.
Responding to the notice, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the matter was of critical national importance and required a broader public debate. He acknowledged that the rapid growth of digital platforms had created new challenges for child safety that could not be addressed by a single institution.
Presiding Officer Senator Sherry Rehman also termed the issue highly significant, stating that it could not be referred solely to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology as it involved multiple ministries. She said the matter required input from several stakeholders, including the ministries of education, law, human rights and information technology.
She further suggested that, on the direction of the Senate chairman, a special committee should be formed to examine the issue comprehensively. Given the sensitive nature of child protection and digital regulation, she said the Ministry of Law would also need to provide its opinion.
Lawmakers agreed that the growing digital exposure of children posed long-term social and regulatory challenges and called for coordinated policy measures to ensure safer online environments.
The discussion reflects increasing concern among policymakers as digital usage expands rapidly across Pakistan, raising questions about regulation, parental oversight and child protection in the online space.
